II • Minorities and effective political participation II. Minorities and effective political participation: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FORUM ON MINORITY ISSUES (Held on 12 and 13 November 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland) Chaired by Ms. Barbara Lee, Member of U.S. Congress I. INTRODUCTION 1. Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 6/15, the second session of the Forum on Minority Issues focused on the issue of minorities and effective political participation. The Chairperson of the Forum was United States Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who also chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. The work of the Forum was guided by the independent expert on minority issues, Gay McDougall. The more than 500 participants included representatives of Governments, treaty bodies, United Nations specialized agencies and civil society. Importantly, the participants included minority political actors from all regions of the world who are actively pursuing greater and more effective political participation for themselves and their communities. 2. The Forum produced thematic recommendations that are action-oriented and aimed at increasing the inclusion and recognition of minorities within the State, while enabling them to maintain their own identity and characteristics, thus promoting good governance and the integrity of the State. The recommendations are based on international human rights norms. In addition to the principles contained in the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and the clarifications provided in the commentary thereto, the recommendations draw upon other relevant international and regional human rights standards, principles and guidelines developed by various stakeholders and national legislation.1 The Declaration on Minorities is itself inspired by article 27 of the 1 See also article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which provides that “States parties shall guarantee to persons with disabilities political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others” and ensure that “voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use”. Compilation of Recommendations of the First Four Sessions 2008 to 2011 15