A/HRC/FMI/2014/1 3. Understanding the root causes of violence and atrocity crimes 7. Session participants will identify key factors that create and maintain minority groups’ vulnerability and exposure to violence and atrocity crimes. Special focus will be on how gross and persistent discrimination and inequalities vis-à-vis social, political economic and cultural rights increase the vulnerability of poor, marginalized minorities to violence and atrocity crimes. Participants will be encouraged to share specific scenarios where persistent challenges and human rights violations expose minorities to frequent the threat of violence and where systematic discriminatory practices and patterns of abuse make them vulnerable to violence and atrocity crimes. 8. Participants will discuss effective tools and strategies to improve the understanding of the status of and challenges to minorities, existing tension and threats and what lies behind them as key elements in preventing hate-motivated attacks. In that context, participants will focus on understanding the contexts and environments in which minorities may be rendered vulnerable to violence. They will be encouraged to share their experiences and positive practices and methodologies, including in the areas of identifying threats, data collection and analysis to map the size and status of minority groups within a State. 4. Improving prevention of violence and atrocity crimes 9. Session participants will address how different stakeholders, including national Governments, civil society, minority groups and regional and international actors, can play an effective role in helping to prevent violence and atrocity crimes against minorities. The roles and activities of such stakeholders will be addressed through the experiences of participants. Participants may discuss the importance of good and inclusive governance in violence prevention and initiatives to ensure the effective participation of minorities in legislative, administrative and decision-making bodies. The role of legislation, for example prohibiting incitement to racial or religious violence, may be considered. Participants will identify and address challenges relating to policing and security as factors directly linked to the exposure of minorities to violence and atrocity crimes, as well as inclusive and proactive approaches to law enforcement and protection strategies. 10. While reviewing existing indicators, risk assessment methodologies and early warning mechanisms, participants will identify existing gaps and possible measures to improve existing approaches, channels of communication and information exchange at national, regional and international levels to act effectively to prevent violence at an early stage. In that context, the session will discuss the role of all stakeholders, including local and national leaders (community, political and religious) and the media, in preventing violence. 5. After violence breaks out — essential measures for resolution, protection and security 11. Session participants will consider the particular challenges of responding to violence that has broken out and specific measures for immediate operational security responses in order to quickly halt violence at the national level. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on the role of all stakeholders in finding and implementing rapid, tailored response measures to protect minorities under attack, including the role of minorities and national human rights institutions in maintaining inter-ethnic and interreligious dialogue. Practical examples will be discussed of the participation of minorities in such areas as dialogue, mediation and negotiation and the role of community, political and religious leaders once conflict has begun. Under this agenda item, participants will discuss specific humanitarian concerns affecting minorities and the role and activities of humanitarian actors vis-à-vis specific minority groups’ security concerns and protection needs. 3