A/HRC/20/6 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 16 May 2012 Original: English Human Rights Council Twentieth session Agenda items 2 and 3 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Summary of the panel discussion to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Summary The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 18/3, in which the Council decided to convene, at its nineteenth session, a panel discussion to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, with a particular focus on its implementation as well as on achievements, best practices and challenges in this regard, and requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner to prepare a report on the outcome of the panel discussion in the form of a summary. Pursuant to resolution 18/3, the discussion offered a venue for experts as well as States to voice their opinions on measures taken to promote and protect the rights of minorities and that have proved effective. The participants agreed that the Declaration remains a key document of reference, and that its implementation is vital if the problems that persist 20 years since its adoption and continue to undermine human rights, and in many cases pose a threat to peace and security, are to be addressed. GE.12-13523