A/51/536 English Page 38 147. The fruitful debates and the constructive recommendations made by the Working Group on Minorities at its second session are highly appreciated. It is hoped that the Working Group will continue to act as a genuine forum for dialogue and mutual understanding between Governments and minorities, and among minorities themselves. This will undoubtedly contribute to the provision of further information on ways and means of realizing the implementation of the Declaration. The recommendations of the Working Group that short studies be commissioned on the content and scope of the core principles contained in the Declaration, including the formulation of specific and concrete recommendations for their application in different countries and regions of the world, are particularly commendable. It is hoped that the recommendations will be implemented effectively. 148. It is appreciated that the High Commissioner for Human Rights is taking an active role in promoting and protecting the rights of persons belonging to minorities. His programme on minority protection and the support he has provided to better collaboration and cooperation with the various organs and bodies of the United Nations, particularly with the specialized agencies, is very welcome. His ongoing dialogue with Governments on issues pertaining to minorities, as well as the provision of qualified expertise on minority issues, should be further encouraged. The combination of these activities would no doubt strengthen the human rights programme in the field of minority protection and pave the way towards a more integrated system of minority-related human rights protection. 149. The human rights treaty-based bodies have paid attention to the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities in their concluding observations. Of particular relevance were the concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as data seemed to have clearly been disaggregated on the basis of minority groups. In the discussions with government representatives during the consideration of State party reports, greater attention could be paid, in particular, to their obligations under article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in respect of which more substantial information could be provided in future reports. It is important that States parties continue to disaggregate data along ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic lines, an element which may provide further useful information about situations involving minorities. 150. It is appreciated that the Special Rapporteurs and Special Representatives continue to pay attention to the situations involving minorities and to report on violations perpetrated against persons belonging to minority groups. It is clear from the reports that ethnic and religious tensions too often degenerate into open conflict, threatening not only the territorial integrity of States but also international stability and peace. The information contained in the reports can contribute to the effective responses to situations warranting particular attention. 151. The information submitted on the activities of the Council of Europe in respect of standard-setting and confidence-building measures in particular is most valuable. It would be interesting to receive similar information from other regional mechanisms and institutions as they ideally complement, on a /...