displacement of minorities from ancestral lands. He added that reckless exploitation of natural resources is also disastrous for the climate, and minorities and indigenous people are the primary victims. He recommended that the minority rights discourse should build on the global momentum for climate justice, stressing that issues of climate justice cannot be separated from justice for minorities in both political and economic domains. Ms. Amina Amharech, President of the Association Acal El Hajeb, Founding Member of the Amazigh community network AZUL noted that in the current context of the pandemic and in these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to reflect on the rights of minorities. These rights are intrinsic to human rights, which are supposed to be universal for everyone and without distinction of gender, color, ethnicity, religion or other, just as they are supposed to be applied and respected everywhere and by everyone, but above all in a global manner and not selectively and according to the goodwill of anyone. Ms. Amharech stated that physical or verbal violence, hate crimes, feminicide and genocide are the signs of an unreasoned rejection of the other and of a socio-cultural deviance legitimized by legislation and public policies. She added that t hese are all favorable conditions for placing minorities in the frontline during conflicts, as hatred is an infallible catalyst and atrocities are an inescapable result of conflicts that must be defused and prevented. Given the historic origin of violations of minority rights, she stressed first the need for a process of reconciliation and reparations, to get rid of hostile environments. Second, she recommended using social networks to launch awareness campaigns and promote tolerance and early warning. Third, she recommended the promotion of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, adding that in the conflict process, women are the most vulnerable and pay the highest price. Mr. Arno Kompatscher, Governor, Province of Bolzano-South Tyrol, Italy stated that his region was considered as having one of the most successful power sharing structures in the world. He noted however that it had a troubled history. The region was annexed by Italy after being part of the Austrian empire, and South Tyrol underwent an intensive ‘Italianization’ process, including the prohibition of German-language schools and the German language. Mr. Kompatscher explained that after World War II, an agreement between Italy and Austria guaranteed autonomous legislative and executive powers and regulations to safeguard the German minority. Nevertheless, the implementation was unsatisfying, he stated, as South Tyrol was united with the Province of Trento to form an Autonomous Region. Mr. Kompatscher explained that the Italian language group was thus in the majority and was able to overrule the political motions of the German- and Ladin-speaking minority. Mr. Kompatscher noted that two UN resolutions have been crucial for renegotiations between Austria and Italy. The Second Autonomy Statute transferred most of the legislative and administrative powers to the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen – Südtirol and is considered the fundamental law for South Tyrol’s autonomy. It brought significant improvements in terms of political, financial, cultural and economic self-government. He added 10