UNITED NATIONS • Forum on Minority Issues Foreword Navi Pillay – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights The Forum on Minority Issues was established by the Human Rights Council in 2007 in recognition that within the United Nations system it is essential to have a platform for discussion on minority issues and the rights of minorities. The Forum offers a unique opportunity for diverse stakeholders, including minorities themselves, representatives of States from all regions, United Nations human rights mechanisms and specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental organizations, experts on minority issues, and numerous non-governmental organizations, to come together in a spirit of cooperation and constructive endeavour to address some of the key issues that challenge minority communities and States in all regions. My office services and supports this important United Nations mechanism, working in close collaboration with the United Nations Independent Expert on minority issues to shape a Forum that is inclusive, dynamic, and innovative in its work to promote implementation of international standards relating to minority rights. Foremost amongst those standards is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. In 2012 we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the adoption by all States in 1992 of this essential Declaration, which marked a global recognition that the rights of minorities everywhere must be respected, protected and promoted in the face of continuing violations of the rights of those belonging to certain communities. Twenty years on, much remains to be done to make the rights expressed in the Declaration a reality. Many ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities continue to face discrimination, marginalization and exclusion and, in some countries, the terrible impacts of violence and conflict. The Forum is at the forefront of international efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged minorities everywhere. Importantly, the Forum has created a space within the United Nations for minorities themselves and many minority representatives from every region have shared their experiences and enriched the Forum with their view and ideas. Among the minority participants have been OHCHR Minority Fellows sponsored by my office to learn about the work of the United Nations human rights system. I commend all of those who have contributed to making the Forum a great success and to strengthening the work of the United Nations on minority issues. The Human Rights Council must be Compilation of Recommendations of the First Four Sessions 2008 to 2011 iii