RES/7/6 Mandate of the independent expert on minority issues

Human Rights Council

Resolution 7/6. Mandate of the independent expert on minority

issues

The Human Rights Council,

Recalling the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the

Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and

Linguistic Minorities,

Recalling also all previous resolutions on the rights of persons belonging to

national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities adopted by the General Assembly,

the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, including

Commission resolution 2005/79 of 21 April 2005 and Council resolution 6/15 of 28

September 2007,

Affirming that effective measures and the creation of favourable conditions for the

promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic,

religious and linguistic minorities, ensuring effective non-discrimination and equality for

all, as well as full and effective participation in matters affecting them, contribute to the

prevention and peaceful solution of human rights problems and situations involving

minorities,

Expressing concern at the frequency and severity of disputes and conflicts

involving minorities in many countries and their often tragic consequences, and that

persons belonging to minorities often suffer disproportionately the effects of conflict,

resulting in the violation of their human rights, and are particularly vulnerable to

displacement through, inter alia, population transfers, refugee flows and forced relocation,

Bearing in mind paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March

2006,

Recalling its resolutions 5/1 on institution-building of the United Nations Human

Rights Council and 5/2 on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate-holders

of the Human Rights Council, of 18 June 2007, and stressing that the mandate-holder

shall discharge his/her duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes

thereto,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the rights of persons

belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities submitted to the

Council at its fourth session (A/HRC/4/109), in which he recommended that the Council

should maintain and improve existing mechanisms, including a special procedure,

1. Commends the independent expert on minority issues for the work that she has

undertaken so far, for the important role that she has played in raising the level of

awareness of and in giving added visibility to the rights of persons belonging to national

or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and for her ongoing efforts to promote and

protect their rights in order to ensure equitable development and peaceful and stable

societies, including through close cooperation with Governments, relevant United

Nations bodies and mechanisms and non-governmental organizations;

2. Expresses its appreciation to Governments and intergovernmental and non-

governmental organizations that have given special attention to the promotion and

protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic

minorities and have supported the work of the independent expert;

3. Decides to extend the mandate of the independent expert on minority issues for

a period of three years and requests the independent expert:

(a) To promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons

Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, including through

consultations with Governments, taking into account existing international standards and

national legislation concerning minorities;

(b) To identify best practices and possibilities for technical cooperation with the

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, at the request of

Governments;

(c) To apply a gender perspective in his/her work;

(d) To cooperate closely, while avoiding duplication, with existing relevant

United Nations bodies, mandates and mechanisms and with regional organizations;

(e) To take into account the views of non-governmental organizations on matters

pertaining to his/her mandate;

(f) To guide the work of the Forum on Minority Issues, as decided by the Council

in its resolution 6/15;

(g) To submit annual reports on his/her activities to the Council, including

recommendations for effective strategies for the better implementation of the rights of

persons belonging to minorities;

4. Calls upon all States to cooperate with the independent expert in the

performance of the tasks and duties mandated to him/her, and encourages specialized

agencies, regional organizations, national human rights institutions and non-

governmental organizations to develop regular dialogue and cooperation with the

mandate-holder;

5. Requests the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights

to provide all the human, technical and financial assistance necessary for the effective

fulfilment of the mandate of the independent expert;

6. Decides to continue its consideration of this issue in accordance with the annual

programme of work of the Council.

39th meeting

27 March 2008 Adopted without a vote