A/HRC/19/71 I. Introduction 1. The fourth session of the Forum on Minority Issues (held 29-30 November 2011) focused on practical and concrete measures and recommendations aimed at guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls. It was informed by and built on the work of the previous three sessions of the Forum relating to “Minorities and the right to education”, “Minorities and effective political participation” and “Minorities and effective participation in economic life”. The Chairperson of the Forum was Graciela Dixon of Panama. The work of the Forum was guided by the independent expert on minority issues, Rita Izsák. The participants, more than 400, included representatives of Governments, treaty bodies, United Nations specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental bodies, national human rights institutions and civil society. Importantly, participants also included several representatives of minority communities from all regions of the world. 2. In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 6/15, the present document contains the recommendations that emanated from the fourth session of the Forum, which sought to provide concrete and tangible outcomes in the form of thematic recommendations of practical value to all stakeholders. These action-oriented recommendations are aimed at increasing the role of minority women within the State while enabling them to maintain their own identity and characteristics, thus promoting the good governance and integrity of the State. 3. In addition to the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and the commentary thereon, the recommendations are based on other international and regional human rights standards, principles and guidelines developed by different stakeholders as well as national legislation. The Declaration on Minorities is inspired by article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights The jurisprudence and general comments of the Human Rights Committee and other treaty bodies, including the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, have also informed the recommendations. 4. The range of issues included in the recommendations is not exhaustive. It is hoped that the recommendations will be interpreted in a constructive manner, in cooperation and dialogue with minority communities in the light of the obligations of States to implement human rights standards effectively in practice. 5. The recommendations are phrased in broad terms and can be implemented in countries with diverse historical, cultural and religious backgrounds, with full respect for universal human rights. The Forum took into account the fact that a great variety of country and minority situations exist and that, consequently, different measures may be required to improve the participation of minority women, who can be deeply affected by the context in which they live. Standard solutions are generally neither possible nor desirable. 6. The present document provides decision-makers, public officials, non-governmental organizations, academics and others, including minorities and minority women themselves with an overview of possible options and solutions to the challenges facing minority women. The recommendations are a resource for decision-makers, assisting them to make appropriate and informed choices when designing legislation and policies aimed at guaranteeing the rights of minority women, with emphasis on the rights and opportunities for minority women to have access to education, to take part effectively in economic life and to have access to labour markets, and to participate fully in social, cultural and political life. The document further constitutes a useful tool for minorities themselves, both men and women, guiding them in their efforts to improve the situation of minority women. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that a country situation will evolve over time, and 3