Forum on Minority Issues

Second Session of the Forum on Minority Issues

Minorities and Effective Political Participation

12 and 13 November 2009

The second session of the Forum took place on 12 and 13 November 2009 in Room XX of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Ms. Barbara Lee, member of the United States House of Representatives, was appointed as Chairperson for this second session of the Forum focusing on: Minorities and Effective Political Participation.

Participants

As required by resolution 6/15, the Forum achieved the active participation of representatives of Member 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 and NGOs.
In addition to this wide range of stakeholders, this session of the Forum brought together members of minority populations from all regions of the world, who were either elected officials or had been candidates at national or local levels, engaged in political parties, or who were actively engaged in developing programs to encourage greater participation of minorities in the political process. Over 500 individuals were accredited from all categories to participate in this second session of the Forum, including more than 80 minority political actors and special guests, delegates from over 45 States as well as representatives of some 95 NGOs.

• List of participants
• Pictures from 2009 Forum

Reports

Pursuant to resolution 6/15, a summary of the discussions at the Forum was prepared by the Chairperson and recommendations from the 2009 session of the Forum were presented by the independent expert on minority issues to the 13th regular session of the Human Rights Council in March 2010. (See Documentation)

Documentation

Recommendations from the 2009 Forum on minority issues on Minorities and Effective Political Participation
A | C | E | F | R | S

Summary of the discussions prepared by the Chairperson

Concept note on “Minorities and Effective Political Participation”
A | C | E | F | R | S

Background Document on Minorities and Effective Political Participation
A | C | E | F | R | S

OHCHR Work on Minorities & Effective Political Participation
A | C | E | F | R | S

Further readings

Practical informations

Statements

Oral statements delivered at the Forum

External links

Minority rights group international