A/60/333 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 6 September 2005 Original: English Sixtieth session Item 73 (b) of the provisional agenda* Human rights questions: human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms Effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities Report of the Secretary-General ** Summary The Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities was adopted by the General Assembly in 1992. With a view to continuing the promotion of the implementation of the Declaration, the General Assembly, in its resolution 58/182, invited the Secretary-General, inter alia, to make available, at the request of Governments concerned, qualified expertise on minority issues, including the prevention and resolution of disputes, to assist in existing or potential situations involving minorities, and to report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session on the implementation of the resolution, including examples of good practices in the field of education and the effective participation of minorities in decision-making processes. There is growing recognition that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities are integral to strengthening the political and social stability of States and contribute to development within a democratic framework based on the rule of law. It has been noted that a lack of structures for peaceful resolution of differences, exploitation of minority identity for political purposes, social tensions, group inequalities, historical grievances and political and power disputes (sometimes over control of resources) have led to open conflicts. * A/60/150. ** The report has been submitted late owing to consultations. 05-48136 (E) 200905 *0548136*