Hungary on item IV 9th session of the Forum on Minority Issues - ohchr 24/25 November 2016 Unites Nations - Geneva Mr Chair, Madam Special Rapporteur, on behalf of the Hungarian delegation I wish to warmly welcome you and to comment your outstanding work of the last 5 years. With regards to the ever-growing number of humanitarian crises erupting in different parts of the world and the dramatically rising volume of humanitarian needs within the choice of the theme for your report is particularly timely. We agree that because of the vulnerable situation within societies, the respect for and protection of the rights of minorities during humanitarian crises represent an increased challenge especially when the minority communities are the main targets of conflicts. It is extensively documented that during and in the aftermath of humanitarian crises or disasters minorities are particularly exposed to the danger of becoming victims of physical violence. There is also a high occurrence of cases when the humanitarian emergency relief does not reach minorities living in remote or conflict areas. We agree, that mapping of the situations and specific needs of minorities elaborating targeted comprehensive strategies for times of crises, responding to these specificities is a must. For this reliable and precise data on how humanitarian crises are affecting minorities are indispensible. Both the volume and the kind of humanitarian aid are in general determined on the basis of disaggregated data by gender or age. That is why we attach key importance to the implementation to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction, stressing the key role of collection, analyses, management and use of disaggregated data in risk assessment and prevention. International instruments give states a clear legal framework for minority protection. Minorities even in situations of humanitarian crises are under the protection fo Article 27 of the ICCPR and 47/135 Declaration proclaimed by the General Assembly defines the way how to achieve it. Minority protection is one of Hungary’s main priorities. The compulsory application of the declaration has been declared in bilateral treaties. Moreover, we would like to draw the attention to situations of religious minorities in today’s humanitarian crises areas especially with regards to Christian communities who are victims of violence, intolerance and discrimination. In order to follow the cases and to coordinate the government response to the persecution of Christian minorities worldwide especial unit has been established on area level. Madam Special Rapporteur, in you report you are stressing that in order to prevent crises in mitigate disproportionate impact of crises of minorities, states and non-state actors should establish an institutional framework for ensuring attention to minorities issue within relevant national bodies. We would like to ask how and what means or procedures institutional or legal gaps that exist at national level in many countries could be filled in order to collect and manage the disaggregated data? Thank you.

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