UN Forum on Minority Issues
24-25 November, Room XX, Palais des Nations, Geneva
Minorities in humanitarian crises
GENEVA (21 November 2016) – Minorities and other
stakeholders from around the world will gather in Geneva on 24 and 25 November
at the ninth United Nations Forum on Minority Issues, organised and guided by
the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, and chaired by
minority rights expert Mario Yutzis.
The Forum will bring together over 500 international
participants, who will discuss how humanitarian crises impact on minorities and
to make specific recommendations to protect and promote their rights at all
stages of any humanitarian crisis.
“We see all around the world that minorities are
disproportionately affected in humanitarian crises, whether it is a situation
resulting from conflicts, natural or man-made disasters or pandemics,” said Ms
Izsák-Ndiaye, who has submitted a report to the UN General Assembly on the
subject.
“This is often due to their distinct identity,
geographical location, poverty, discrimination or other unique circumstances,”
she noted, “but whatever the reason for the particular vulnerability,
Governments and humanitarian actors have an obligation to ensure that
strategies and assistance are targeted to meet the specific needs of
minorities.”
The Forum provides a unique opportunity for States,
alongside representatives of minority communities, UN bodies and specialized
agencies, NGOs, academics and other experts, to discuss not only the challenges
that minorities face in times of humanitarian crisis, but also how the
protection and promotion of minority rights in prevention and post-crisis
phases can be strengthened.
“If we truly want to achieve inclusive and resilient
societies, minority protection must be at the heart of Governments’ efforts to
ensure equality in rights and dignity for all even in most challenging times,”
the Special Rapporteur urged.
The Forum’s recommendations on minorities in situations
of humanitarian crises will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in
March 2017.
Meeting times will be 10:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. and 15:00
to 18:00 p.m. on both days, at Room XX, Palais des Nations, Geneva.
Simultaneous translation in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and
Spanish will be provided for the official meetings. Side events will take place
from 13:00 to 15:00 p.m. on both days.
Full details regarding the program are available on the
Forum’s website:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Minority/Pages/Session9.aspx
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Every year, as requested by the UN Human Rights Council,
the Special Rapporteur on minority issues organises and guides a Forum on
minority issues to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on
issues of national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. The Forum
aims at identifying and analysing best practices, challenges, opportunities and
initiatives for the further implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of
Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
Check the Declaration:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/Minorities.aspx
For more information and media requests, please contact
Ms. Claire Morclette at the Forum Secretariat: (+41 22 917 9533 /Minorityforum@ohchr.org)
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