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21. 11. 2016.

MEDIA ADVISORY - Minorities in humanitarian crises - UN Forum on Minority Issues 24-25 November




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.

 
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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