She stressed that the right to effective participation is a fundamental human right and that creating the conditions for the effective participation of minorities should be considered by States as an integral aspect of good governance and a key priority in their efforts to ensure equality and non-discrimination. She further noted that the full and effective participation of minorities in all areas of public life is a concept that encompasses not only participation in political decision-making at both local and national levels but also requires that persons belonging to minorities should be given the means to participate effectively in the social and economic spheres of their societies and the right to equal access to public services. The independent expert finally underlined that public participation may take many forms e.g. the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, the right to vote and to be elected, and to have access to public services, participation in all governmental bodies, the judiciary and agencies of the criminal justice system, participation in economic and social life as well as access on a nondiscriminatory basis to employment, land and property, housing, health care, social welfare and pensions. The Chairperson of the second session of the Forum on Minority Issues, Ms. Barbara Lee, commented on the uniqueness of this Forum as an opportunity for the international community to discuss possible ways to increase and strengthen the participation of minorities in the decision-making processes of their governments. As a member of the United States Congress, she referred to the U.S. as a unique model to discuss the issue of minorities and effective political participation. As a matter of example, she referred to the case of African-Americans stating that despite the great progress made over the years there was still a long way to go, considering the systemic poverty, unequal education, housing discrimination, higher rates of unemployment, health disparities and many more. She further referred to the work of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) that has been part of the transformation but continues to seek moral equality for African Americans and all minority groups, leading the Congress on issues with “intelligence, commitment and power and continues to be the conscience of the Congress and the voice of the voiceless, representing over 42 millions Americans”. She further indicated that despite the development of strong relationships between all minority caucuses in Congress, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, minorities are still underrepresented in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. She finally recalled that empowering minorities politically is critical to achieving a truly democratic, free and global community. As a matter of example, she referred to the electoral process that has lead to the election of President Barack Obama. 4