A/RES/54/162 Page 2 Noting that the Working Group on Minorities of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights1 of the Commission on Human Rights held its fourth and fifth sessions from 25 to 29 May 19982 and 25 to 31 May 1999,3 respectively, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;4 2. Reaffirms the obligation of States to ensure that persons belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full equality before the law, in accordance with the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities; 3. Urges States and the international community to promote and protect the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as set out in the Declaration, including through the facilitation of their participation in all aspects of the political, economic, social, religious and cultural life of society and in the economic progress and development of their country; 4. Also urges States to take, as appropriate, all the necessary constitutional, legislative, administrative and other measures to promote and give effect to the Declaration; 5. Recognizes that respect for human rights and the promotion of understanding and tolerance by Governments as well as between and among minorities are central to the protection and promotion of the rights of persons belonging to minorities; 6. Appeals to States to make bilateral and multilateral efforts, as appropriate, in order to protect the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in their countries, in accordance with the Declaration; 7. Calls upon the Secretary-General 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; 8. Calls upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to promote, within her mandate, the implementation of the Declaration and to continue to engage in a dialogue with Governments concerned for that purpose; 9. Requests the High Commissioner to continue her efforts to improve the coordination and cooperation among United Nations programmes and agencies on activities related to the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities and to take the work of relevant regional organizations active in the field of human rights into account in her endeavours; 1 2 Formerly known as the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. E/CN.4/Sub.2/1998/18. 3 E/CN.4/Sub.2/1999/21. 4 A/54/303. /...