A/HRC/61/33 OHCHR led a session on identifying strategies to eliminate discrimination based on work and descent and strengthening United Nations engagement at the country level. 67. The network actively contributed to the second global review of the integration of the human rights-based approach and the principles of leaving no one behind, gender equality and women’s empowerment in the new generation of United Nations common country analyses and cooperation frameworks. 62 The review included, at the network’s request, dedicated questions on racial discrimination and the protection of minorities, providing an opportunity to strengthen evidence-based approaches to addressing racial discrimination and advancing minority rights. IV. Conclusions 68. Despite global commitments, minorities remain at heightened risk of exclusion and discrimination. States should take further steps to recognize minorities as a group at risk of being left behind and renew efforts to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. States should in particular take specific steps to enact comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and ensure the meaningful participation of minorities in decision-making processes. 69. Progress achieved on minority rights in some countries demonstrates that structural inequalities can be dismantled even in challenging contexts, and those examples should inspire broader action. At the same time, the world is witnessing a surge in hate speech, in particular online, alongside coded or explicit incitement to violence against minorities, often voiced by politicians, business leaders, media commentators and others. These trends threaten social cohesion and peace. Addressing them requires firm responses, principled leadership and inclusive policies. 70. States should adopt and enforce robust legal and regulatory frameworks to govern data-driven technologies, including artificial intelligence, ensuring that they are transparent, accountable and free from discriminatory bias, including against minorities. Measures should include safeguards for equality and non-discrimination, data protection, privacy and access to information. The design, use and regulation of artificial intelligence should be subject to rigorous human rights impact assessments to ensure compliance with human rights and to prevent perpetuating structural and historical bias. Building digital systems that respect human dignity and comply with international human rights standards is essential to uphold the rule of law and social cohesion. 71. Political and faith leaders must take a clear and firm stand against hate speech, especially targeting religious or belief minorities, foster dialogue and affirm that violence is never acceptable. Collective action by all stakeholders is essential to curb incitement of hatred and build societies grounded in tolerance, mutual understanding and respect. Peer-to-peer learning in advancing both human rights and faith should be supported by fostering inclusive spaces for religious or belief minorities. 72. Lack of reliable data on minorities in most countries continues to hinder effective policymaking and inclusion. Despite decades of advocacy, this gap remains critical, underscoring the need for States to invest in systematic data collection, with strict safeguards and in accordance with international human rights law and a human rights-based approach to data. Reliable, disaggregated data, in particular on incitement to hatred and hate crime, provides an essential baseline for legislative and policy efforts. States should ensure that such incidents are captured in official statistics and establish robust systems and methodologies to record and analyse disaggregated data. 73. Through its engagement at the country and regional level and at headquarters, including by acting as the permanent Chair of the United Nations network on racial 62 GE.25-21065 See www.ohchr.org/en/un-interagency-network-hr-lnob-sd/human-rights-lnob-and-gewe-ccas-andcfs. 15