Independent Expert on minority issues

Thematic priorities

Given the breadth of work that demands attention with respect to minority issues, and the limitations on the work of the Independent Expert, she has focused her initial work on three broad strategic objectives. These are:

1. Increase the focus on minority communities in the context of poverty alleviation, development and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The Independent Expert is concerned that minorities and other marginalized communities are failing to benefit from international efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Poverty is both a cause and a manifestation of the diminished rights, opportunities, and social advancement available to members of minority communities.

The Independent Expert has highlighted the need to work with states and all other development actors, including minorities themselves, to promote programmes, policies and activities that take fully into account the needs and rights of minorities. She will identify best practices and effective implementation strategies, including poverty reduction strategies, to assist states in their consideration of minority issues. Full and effective participation of minorities in policies and decisions that affect them is a guiding principle of the Independent Expert’s work. She also considers that the collection and use of disaggregated data, which reveals inequalities between communities, is an important tool in the development field and for minority communities generally. She is working to promote the importance of appropriate disaggregated data and to deliver technical assistance to states in this respect.

2. Increase the understanding of minority issues in the context of promoting social inclusion and ensuring stable societies

Minority rights, inclusion and equality play an important role in promoting political and social stability and peace. This has been recognized at the highest level of the UN and stated in the outcome document of the 2005 World Summit of Heads of State and Government, approved by the General Assembly. The implementation of law and policy relevant to inclusion and equality, and effective strategies for social cohesion, are therefore important goals which the Independent Expert is pursuing.

The Independent Expert recognizes that exclusion, discrimination and racism directed at minority groups may result in social unrest based on inequality. There is a need to better understand the causes and prevalence of discrimination against minorities in order to put in place effective policies and practices to address such situations, and avoid them. The Independent Expert highlights to states the significant benefits of legislative and policy reform which seeks to promote effective strategies of social cohesion, equality and non-discrimination. She is mandated to identify possibilities for technical cooperation by the OHCHR to assist states in this respect. She also recognizes the need for mechanisms, including indicators, which allow deteriorating situations to be identified as early as possible in order to avoid grievances developing into violence, conflict or even genocide.

3. Mainstream the consideration of minority issues within the work of the United Nations and other important multilateral forums.

Attention to minority issues has been demonstrated to be essential to efforts to promote human rights, development and stability. Mainstreaming of minority issues within the United Nations system therefore offers the opportunity for greater and more consistent consideration of minority issues within key areas of UN work and across UN agencies, bodies and mechanisms. At the national level, UN field staff will be better equipped to systematically consider minority issues and to respond to them appropriately. In the planning and implementation of programmes of work, minority issues can also be considered to ensure that minorities are consulted, and are able to participate effectively in decisions that affect them. Mainstreaming offers the opportunity for the UN to better assist states, through technical cooperation, for example, to ensure that their policies and practices are fair, non-discriminatory and benefit all communities.