United Nations Forum on Minority Issues

Accreditation

The First United Nations Forum on Minority Issues will be held on 15 and 16 December 2008 in Palais des Nations, Geneva.

Pursuant to Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 6/15 of 17 September 2007, the Forum on Minority Issues is open to participation of “States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts on minority issues, (…) non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, (…) and other non-governmental organizations whose aims and purposes are in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations”.

ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE

Non-Governmental and other civil society organisations / actors

Non-governmental and other civil society organisations wishing to accredit representatives to the 2008 Forum on Minority Issues are required to fax a request to the Secretariat of the Forum on Minority Issues by Monday 17 November 2008, to (+ 41) 22 917 90 06.

The letter requesting accreditation should:

• Be submitted on the official letterhead of the organisation;
• Clearly state the title and duration of the session the organisation wishes to attend, e.g. “[Name of organisation] wishes to send the following member(s) to attend the 2008 Forum on Minority Issues on 15 and 16 December 2008 ...”;
• Indicate the name/s (first name and family name) of all the person/s who will represent the organisation at the Forum on Minority Issues. Names of persons must appear exactly as they appear in identification documents; family name(s) must be capitalized.
• [Only for NGOs not in consultative status with ECOSOC] Indicate the date of birth and nationality of the representatives, and fill-in the Conference Registration form.
• [Only for NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC] Ensure that the name(s) of those representative(s) of the NGO already in possession of a valid identity badge issued by the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) Security and Safety Section, and who plan to attend the 2008 Forum on Minority Issues, are also included in the accreditation request, with an indication that the person(s) holds an annual badge.
• Be signed by the President or the main representative(s) of the organisation.

Once in Geneva, NGO representatives may proceed to the accreditation office at Palais des Nations - “Pregny Gate” security entrance (8-14 avenue de la Paix). Upon presentation of personal identification and a copy of the accreditation request from the concerned NGO, the accreditation officer will issue a photo-badge granting access to the Palais des Nations. This badge will remain valid for the duration of the session, and will permit the badge-holder unrestricted access to the conference rooms.

Questionnaire for NGOs not in consultative status with ECOSOC

In order for their accreditation request to be considered, NGOs not in consultative status with ECOSOC are also required to complete a questionnaire, signed by the President, the head, or main representative(s) of the NGO and submit it along with the letter requesting accreditation to (+ 41) 22 917 90 06.

National Human Rights Institutions

National human rights institutions wishing to accredit representatives to the 2008 Forum on Minority Issues are required to fax a request to the Secretariat of the Forum on Minority Issues by Monday 17 November 2008, to (+ 41) 22 917 90 06.

The letter requesting accreditation should:

• Be submitted on the official letterhead of the organisation;
• Clearly state the title and duration of the session the organisation wishes to attend, e.g. “[Name of organisation] wishes to send the following member(s) to attend the 2008 Forum on Minority Issues on 15 and 16 December 2008 ...”;
• Indicate the name/s (first name and family name) of all the person/s who will represent the organisation at the Forum on Minority Issues. Names of persons must appear exactly as they appear in identification documents; family name(s) must be capitalized.
• Ensure that the name(s) of those representative(s) of the NHRI already in possession of a valid identity badge issued by the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) Security and Safety Section, and who plan to attend the 2008 Forum on Minority Issues, are also included in the accreditation request, with an indication that the person(s) holds an annual badge.
• Be signed by the President or the main representative(s) of the organisation.

Once in Geneva, NHRI representatives may proceed to the accreditation office at Palais des Nations - “Pregny Gate” security entrance (8-14 avenue de la Paix). Upon presentation of personal identification and a copy of the accreditation request from the concerned NGO, the accreditation officer will issue a photo-badge granting access to the Palais des Nations. This badge will remain valid for the duration of the session, and will permit the badge-holder unrestricted access to the conference rooms.