Statement by the Islamic Republic of Iran Second session of the Forum on Minority Issues Friday, 13 November 2009 (Afternoon Session) Madam, Chairperson, We attach high importance to the work of the Forum on Minority Issues and consider effective political participation of minorities as crucial for better harmony and peaceful coexistence among societies. I would also like to reiterate that, since standard solutions are neither possible nor desirable, this process needs to be followed with due regard to national and regional particularities as well as historical, cultural and religious backgrounds of different countries. Further, the process requires collective endeavor and common understanding among all Member States as well as relevant stakeholders to take comprehensive approaches to address existing challenges in an appropriate manner. Having one of the oldest and richest human civilizations, Iran has played a distinctive and unique role in contributing to the enrichment of human civilizations and culture. Iran is a vast country with a population of more than 70 million people. Several ethnicities as well as religious minorities living in Iran enjoy equal rights and privileges accorded to all Iranian citizens by the law. Article 19 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran stipulates that "All people of Iran, whatever the ethnic group or tribe to which they belong, enjoy equal rights; and color, race, language, and the like, do not bestow any privilege. In fact, Iranian Fars, Azeris, Kurds, Lors, Baluchs, Turkmans, Arabs and others are various components of the unified nation of Iran who are living side by side peacefully in the country and participating actively in all walks of life. They enjoy representation in the Parliament and local Councils and in all levels of decision and policy making in accordance with the Constitution and other pertinent laws and regulations. In addition to various ethnicities who have representation in the national Parliament, five