A/HRC/55/35 the Practical Guide to Developing Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Legislation. 7 OHCHR conveyed to members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Interinstitutional Commission of Human Rights the importance of developing comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, based on the general prohibition of discrimination in international human rights law. 7. In September, OHCHR also provided support for organizing an international conference in Serbia entitled “Are Minority Rights (Still) Human Rights?”. The conference recognized that the absence of a universally accepted definition of the term “minority” and of a universal legally binding international instrument exclusively focused on minorities had been key factors contributing to the numerous challenges associated with recognizing and safeguarding minority rights. In addition, OHCHR supported the initiative of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue to develop the country’s Human Rights Strategy for the period 2024–2030. The Strategy encompasses all national policies related to human rights and recognizes the need to efficiently implement the leave no one behind principle and a human rights-based approach. 8. Also in September, OHCHR, in partnership with the International Dalit Solidarity Network and the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent, held four days of activities in Nepal aimed at empowering youth. The events were focused on combating descent-based discrimination through the prism of access to justice and the role of youth in South Asia. They brought together 60 participants: 50 youths from descent-based and other communities, including LGBTQI+ communities, and youth with disabilities from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Participants engaged on pressing issues relating to descent-based discrimination, strengthening their advocacy skills in international human rights law and mechanisms, and designed a road map as a follow-up to the events. 9. In November, the second International Art Contest for Minority Artists 8 was organized, as part of the Human Rights 75 Initiative, in partnership with Freemuse, Minority Rights Group International and the City of Geneva. The winning artists tackled the theme of intersectionality 9 and compounded discrimination in their art, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different forms of discrimination, from ethnic identity to gender and beyond. Through their vibrant canvases, music and photography, they offered a testament to the power of art in addressing social injustices and advocating for human rights. 10 Six of the eight laureates of this year’s contest came to Geneva to attend a week of activities relating to arts, minority rights, human rights and advocacy, and to celebrate their artistic engagement in promoting the realization of minority rights. 10. In December, OHCHR and its partner organization the Equal Rights Trust were invited to present Protecting Minority Rights: A Practical Guide to Developing Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Legislation11 at a public hearing of the Human Rights Committee of the Federal Senate of Brazil. The session was in follow-up to the publication in October of a Portuguese-language translation of the guide12 made by the country’s Office of the Public Defender. 7 8 9 10 11 12 GE.23-26212 See https://www.ohchr.org/en/publications/policy-and-methodological-publications/protectingminority-rights-practical-guide. See https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2023/11/international-art-contest-celebrates-minority-artistswork. See https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/minorities/30th-anniversary/2022-0922/GuidanceNoteonIntersectionality.pdf. See https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/minorities/2023-catalogue-ofinternational-art-contest.pdf. See https://www.ohchr.org/en/publications/policy-and-methodological-publications/protectingminority-rights-practical-guide. See https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/minorities/ protecao_direitos_minorias_0.pdf. 3