E/CN.4/2006/74 page 20 right of freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography, and the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, in submitting a communication to the Government of Myanmar. The independent expert and Special Rapporteurs provided Myanmar with 15 questions on these issues, including 1 on minority issues, and asked the Government to respond within 60 days. As of 5 January 2006, the independent expert had received no response. Conferences 81. From 2 to 4 November 2005, the independent expert participated in an expert seminar hosted by the Working Group on Minorities and OHCHR in Chincha, Peru, which focused on people of African descent in the Americas region, entitled “Strategies for the inclusion of people of African descent in programmes to reduce poverty, especially to achieve Millennium Development Goal 1”. The text of the report which the independent expert presented at this expert seminar will be available on the independent expert’s web page. 82. On 29 November 2005, the independent expert testified before the drafting committee for the proposed inter-American convention against racism and all forms of discrimination and intolerance of the Organization of American States. In her testimony, she urged that the proposed convention reaffirm the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities and guarantee the rights of minority groups. The complete text of the independent expert’s testimony will be available on the independent expert’s web page. VI. CONCLUSIONS 83. Respect for minority rights benefits States and societies in terms of securing the richness of cultural diversity, reflecting their full heritage and contributing to social cohesion. It also advances the conditions for political and social stability and peace. Rather than promoting segregation and separation, minority rights are based on the principle of an integrated society, where each can use one’s own language, enjoy one’s culture and practise one’s religion but still feel part of a broader, inclusive national identity. However, to fully exploit this positive potential of minority rights to benefit societies as a whole, advances must be made in promoting minority rights and, most importantly, in highlighting best practices for effective implementation of minority rights in contemporary situations. 84. Anti-discrimination, while a key element, is not sufficient in itself to guarantee fully minority rights. Minority rights go beyond anti-discrimination to address the issues of those who may seek to promote and preserve their distinct identity. The opportunity to participate fully and effectively in all aspects of society, while preserving group identity, is essential to true equality and may require positive steps on the part of Governments. Minority rights are not about giving some communities more than others. Rather, they are about recognizing that, owing to their minority status and distinct identity, some groups are disadvantaged and are at times targeted, and that these communities need special protection and empowerment. All States should seek to realize the goal of equality in diversity, in law and in fact.