PM of South Africa Thank you very much Chairperson. Our national constitution guarantees and protects minorities as they significantly contribute to enhancing the richness and cohesion of our country. We believe that minorities can play a significant role in deepening social cohesion, and in the promotion and practice non-violence through education, dialogue, and cooperation, also, the full respect and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. South Africa supports the view that peace is not only the absence of conflict and cessation of war, but also requires a positive, dynamic, and participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, and socio-economic development is ensured along with the realization of all human rights. My delegation reiterates the view that the constant promotion and realization of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities is an integral part of the development of society as a whole, and within a democratic framework based on the rule of law. In addition, the contribution of minorities can strengthen friendship and cooperation not only among peoples, but also states. South Africa attaches great importance to the principle of equality as clearly enshrined in the ICCPR, which reads “all persons are equal before the law and are entitled without discrimination to the equal protection of the law.” Therefore, South Africa reaffirms the imperative of equal or nondiscriminatory treatment of all persons under the jurisdiction of any United Nations member state. I thank you.