UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/9/8 29 August 2008 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Ninth session Agenda item 2 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND REPORTS OF THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL The rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities Report of the Secretary-General∗ ∗ Late submission GE.08-15290 (E) 030908