A/HRC/34/53/Add.1 reconciliation process in which minorities were fully included. Some minority representatives called for a ministry to be established with a mandate dedicated to ethnic and religious community issues that would take the lead in policy and programme measures, including affirmative action measures such as those aimed at increasing minority participation in political life. 69. Trust needs to be rebuilt between various communities, and between the population and the Federal Government, to ensure social cohesion and sustainable, peaceful coexistence. Representatives of numerous ethnic and religious groups expressed their deep frustration, anger and despair at their present situation. They frequently stated that they had lost all trust in national institutions and protection measures, which had failed them in the past and in which they had no confidence for the future. Their perception is that Government is not genuinely concerned about protecting their rights. 70. Minorities highlighted that lack of accountability increased the likelihood of further atrocities. For communities to recover and begin to regain trust in their Government and the rule of law, a process of truth, justice and reconciliation is required and legal remedies and reparations put in place, including restitution or reconstruction of property, compensation of victims, prosecution of those accused of crimes and psychosocial support for affected persons. In this regard, customary and traditional justice processes should also be considered alongside legal and court proceedings. 71. Education is a vital component in creating understanding and acceptance of diversity for the next generation. Minorities noted the absence of education on ethnic and religious diversity and of positive portrayals of minority communities. They stressed that education curriculums should be revised to provide education in citizenship and peaceful coexistence. Equally, human rights education would contribute to promoting acceptance and nondiscrimination. Education and training must extend throughout Iraqi public institutions to ensure that public officials, the judiciary and the security forces are trained in human rights, including minority rights. 72. The establishment of an Iraqi security force that truly reflects the diversity of the society and includes members of all communities was frequently stressed as an important step forward, increasing trust in law enforcement in general and ending the trend of the formulation of militias along ethnic and religious lines. The draft national guard law currently under consideration should help if it conforms fully to international standards. The possibility of retaliation and retribution against some groups, including Sunni groups following the liberation or future liberation of territories such as Mosul, is a real threat. Everything possible must be done to ensure the protection of civilians in all circumstances and to ensure that the brutality of ISIL is not replicated by others, including ethnic- or religious-based popular mobilization forces. C. Political, economic and social participation 73. Smaller ethnic and religious groups have very limited political means to express their will or concerns. Community representatives commonly stated that they lacked adequate political participation at all levels of public affairs, from local to national, and that current electoral laws made it difficult for minority ethnic groups to achieve political representation in proportion to their presence in society. They stressed that improved political participation was essential for them to raise their issues and concerns and as part of a longer-term social cohesion project. One representative stated: “To date, minorities are absent from decision-making.” Another described efforts to block or remove Christians and other minorities from decision-making positions in Ninewa. 18