UNITED NATIONS • Forum on Minority Issues International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The jurisprudence and general comments of the Human Rights Committee, particularly regarding the implementation of articles 25 and 27, have also informed these recommendations. 3. The recommendations are phrased in broad terms and may be implemented in countries with diverse historical, cultural and religious backgrounds, with full respect for universal human rights. They take into account the fact that, owing to the great variety and developments of situations, standard solutions are generally neither possible nor desirable. 4. The present document, which should be read in conjunction with the background document on minorities and effective political participation (A/HRC/FMI/2009/3), seeks to provide decision makers, public officials, non-governmental organizations, academics and other stakeholders with an overview of possible options to assist them in making informed choices when designing legislation and policies aimed at ensuring adequate minority participation. While there are no “one size fits all” models for every conceivable context, the options identified herein offer a number of positive examples of moving towards more effective participation and representation of minorities, consistent with the ideals of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights. Moreover, a country situation will obviously evolve over time and should therefore be assessed on a regular basis in order that mechanisms may be adjusted to ensure the effective participation of minorities. 5. Many situations around the world demonstrate that an adequate representation of persons belonging to minorities in policy and decision-making by society is instrumental in breaking the cycle of discrimination and exclusion suffered by members of these groups, as well as their often disproportionate levels of poverty and other impediments to the full enjoyment of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. Ensuring meaningful and informed participation and the management by minorities of matters directly affecting them is a means to promote stability and integration in the societies where minorities live. 6. Minorities are, however, vastly underrepresented in the political processes and governing institutions of most countries because they are either actively and intentionally restricted from participation, inadvertently disadvantaged by a variety of laws or policies, or because there is a lack of political will in the larger society to dismantle structural barriers to the full equal participation of minorities. 7. In its commentary to the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the Working Group on Minorities stated that the right to participate in all aspects of the life of the larger national society is essential, both in order for persons belonging to minorities to promote their interests and values and to create an integrated but pluralist society based on tolerance and dialogue (E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/2, para. 35). The 16 Compilation of Recommendations of the First Four Sessions 2008 to 2011