A/60/333 of the work of the United Nations on human rights; and provide minority representatives and experts from different parts of the world with the opportunity to work directly with the United Nations. 4. In 2004 two subregional meetings were organized, one in South Asia and the other in Central Asia. Representatives of Governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations, minority experts and members of minorities participated in these meetings. Participants commented on their value in drawing attention to specific minority issues and to conflict situations. It was pointed out that the international community and persons living in the region were often unaware of existing conflicts. Refugee and internal displacement situations and the denial of citizenship to members of minorities were identified as areas of concern requiring further attention. Particular attention was drawn to the need for Governments to invest in peacebuilding, especially capacity-building for dialogue, as well as in institutional reform, including for strengthening systems of accountability for violations of the human rights of persons belonging to minorities. Calls were made for the United Nations organizations and agencies to provide support for strengthening national human rights systems, engaging with Governments for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities and supporting further cooperation with civil society in the work of the United Nations, including at the national level. 5. The summary of the debate and the conclusions and recommendations of the subregional meeting on Minority Rights: Cultural Diversity and Development in Central Asia held in Bishkek from 27 to 30 October are contained in documents E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/5 and E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/WP.2. Various root causes of the human rights problems affecting ethnic minorities in the subregion were identified. It was concluded that there is a particular need to support the process of democratization, civil society capacity-building and the strengthening of dialogue with local authorities, including in the Ferghana valley, and that more resources needed to be given to address the serious poverty affecting people there and to improving the education system, health care and the health status of the population. 6. The conclusions and recommendations and summary of the subregional meeting on Minority Rights: Cultural Diversity and Development in South Asia, held in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from 21 to 24 November 2004, are contained in documents E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/4 and E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/WP.6. Conclusions and recommendations addressed to Governments included proposals to provide adequate and accessible remedies to address violations of the rights of persons belonging to minorities through independent courts and tribunals; to provide a standing invitation to special procedures and other United Nations bodies and mechanisms to monitor the situation of minority rights and vulnerable groups; to address the situation of non-citizens; to establish independent national human rights institutions and support their role in investigating and granting remedies for the violation of minority rights; and to consider establishing a regional human rights mechanism. With reference to other recommendations adopted, particular mention was made of the need to encourage Governments to promote religious tolerance through public education and media programmes and to provide assistance to Governments for reviewing legislation and other measures with a view to ensuring that such measures did not discriminate against persons on the grounds of their religion. 05-48136 5