A/HRC/52/53 Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide. Panellists included the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and representatives of Minority Rights Group, Equal Rights Trust, University for Peace, the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, and United Nations entities. V. Conclusions 74. Minorities are exposed to violence and discrimination, and are poorly represented in decision-making. The systematic exclusion of minorities reinforces grievances and can establish fertile ground for violence and conflict. 75. The thirtieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities provided an opportunity to take stock, identify constraints and achievements, and reflect on the Declaration as the key to conflict prevention. As recognized in the preamble of the Declaration, the promotion of minority rights contributes to the political and social stability of States. The Secretary-General has recalled that States that protect the rights of minorities are more peaceful. 80 The former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the tenet that the promotion and protection of the rights of all persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities contributed to the political and social stability and progress of States – components important to maintaining peace and stability.81 76. Many activities held during the reporting period were focused on the way forward after the anniversary and on future priorities. At the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to mark the commemoration of the Declaration, Member States reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the principles and rights enshrined in the Declaration. Several States also called for a renewed approach to better implement the Declaration and to advance political and social stability, sustainable development and conflict prevention. As stated by the Secretary-General, political leadership and resolute action were needed to protect minorities. 82 It is vital that commitments are followed by actual implementation of the Declaration. 77. The momentum generated by the commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary serves to strengthen OHCHR resolve to ensure more coherence and impact in the protection of minority rights. OHCHR will build on efforts to inform, share knowledge with, develop capacity for, and support strategies for key stakeholders, in particular in countries and regions where minority rights need to be strengthened. The role of OHCHR is critical, not only from an early warning and prevention perspective, but also with regard to countering discrimination against and inequalities faced by minorities, so as to leave no one behind. 78. Leaving no one behind is a central pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is fundamental to achieving each of the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, the threats that minorities face require galvanized action to promote the adoption and implementation of comprehensive legislation, policies and programmes to combat the exclusion of minorities and promote their equality. OHCHR stands ready to assist in this regard. 79. In 2022, OHCHR laid the groundwork for further important progress in countering discrimination against minorities through various activities, such as the launch of publications, including a guide on developing comprehensive anti- 80 81 82 16 See https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2022-09-21/secretary-generals-remarks-the-highlevel-meeting-the-30th-anniversary-of-the-adoption-of-the-declaration-rights-of-persons-belongingnational-or-ethnic-religious-and. See https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2022/05/30th-anniversary-marks-landmark-moment-minorityrights. See https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2022-09-21/secretary-generals-remarks-the-highlevel-meeting-the-30th-anniversary-of-the-adoption-of-the-declaration-rights-of-persons-belongingnational-or-ethnic-religious-and. GE.22-29200