Minorities

“We must do more to prevent conflicts happening at all. Most conflicts happen in […] countries, especially those which are badly governed or where power and wealth are very unfairly distributed between ethnic or religious groups. So the best way to prevent conflict is promote political arrangements in which all groups are fairly represented, combined with human rights, minority rights and broad-based economic development.”
 Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations (Statement on presenting his Millennium Report, 3 April 2000)

All countries in the world have minorities within their populations. There are varied experiences regarding minority issues within different countries dependent on specific historical, economic, social, political, geographic and other factors. Despite this reality, common problems affecting minority communities are identifiable. Often these are related to the existence of structures or systems that have the effect of either perpetuating the marginalisation of minority communities from decision-making or of unfairly benefiting majority populations or dominant groups in the economic, social and political life of the country. An appreciation of these problems has led to recommendations for the protection of the identity of minorities and respect for diversity. Acceptance of diversity on the part of the majority or dominant groups often requires better understanding about the culture, customs, language and history of minority communities, which in turn has led to the recommendation that inter-cultural and human rights education curricula and programmes be developed. Social, economic and political inequality between communities and groups has also been identified as a root cause of conflict. Equality, social justice and fair representation, as called for under minority rights protection and promotion, are increasingly perceived as a conflict prevention measures.

In recent years, a well defined interest in tackling issues affecting minorities has emerged. Awareness is growing that by meeting the legitimate interests of national or ethnic, religious and linguistic groups the principles of the United Nations Charter may be furthered. Thus, minority rights are being increasingly recognized as an integral part of the United Nation's work for the promotion and protection of human rights, sustainable human development, peace and security.

In 1992, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the only United Nations instrument which addresses the special rights of minorities in a separate United Nations document. The establishment, in 1995, of the United Nations Working Group on Minorities, was another important achievement. In 2007, the Working Group was replaced by the Forum on Minority Issues, established by Human Rights Council resolution 6/15. In 2005, a new procedure, that of the Independent Expert on Minorities Issues, was established. Gay McDougall was appointed to this position by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The mandate of the Independent Expert is contained in Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/79.

This site provides information on OHCHR activities for the protection and promotion of minority rights, including information on United Nations legal standards and procedures.

Further details are available from:

Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Unit
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Telefax number: (+41 22) 928 90 66
E-mail: minorities@ohchr.org