A/HRC/61/33 combat all forms of discrimination; to intensify efforts to promote social inclusion by developing programmes that support the integration of minority groups into education, employment and healthcare systems, ensuring equal opportunities for all; to take measures to combat discrimination and violence against religious or belief minorities; to step up efforts to address hate speech online and violence against members of vulnerable groups, including minorities; and to ensure the adequate representation of ethnic minorities in political bodies and decision-making positions, including through positive measures. 13 17. In February, United Nations human rights experts expressed concern over the systematic targeting of the Baloch minority in Pakistan under the guise of counter-terrorism operations. They emphasized that counter-terrorism measures must comply with international human rights standards and should not be used to suppress minority voices or civil society.14 Further concerns were raised in a communication sent in May 2025 over the arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and mistreatment of Baloch Yakjehti Committee members.15 18. In March, United Nations human rights experts raised the alarm about escalating violence, hate speech and blasphemy charges targeting religious minorities in Pakistan, in particular the Ahmadiyya and Christian communities. The violence included attacks on places of worship and burial sites, arbitrary arrests and the criminalization of peaceful religious expression. The experts urged Pakistan to repeal or amend blasphemy laws in line with its international human rights obligations and to ensure protection for religious minorities from incitement to violence and discrimination.16 19. In April, United Nations human rights experts raised concerns about the persistent and systemic discrimination faced by members of the Bahaʼi minority in Egypt. They noted that, despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, Bahaʼis continued to be denied official recognition as persons before the law, resulting in violations of their rights to equal recognition before the law, to marry, to freedom of religion or belief and to freely to participate in the cultural life of the community. The experts urged Egypt to amend existing legislation to ensure equal protection under the law for all religious or belief minorities and to eliminate discriminatory practices. 17 20. In June 2025, United Nations human rights experts welcomed the Karnataka Rohith Vemula (prevention of exclusion or injustice/right to education and dignity) draft act as a significant step towards addressing caste-based discrimination in higher education in India. However, they expressed concern that the draft lacked explicit protections for the Dalit and Adivasi minorities, who remained disproportionately affected by systemic exclusion, harassment and barriers to academic advancement. The experts urged the government to include clear definitions of direct and indirect discrimination, in line with international standards, and recommended shifting from a punitive to a preventive and restorative approach, including by introducing grievance and redress mechanisms, whistle-blower protections and institutional accountability.18 21. In its concluding observations on the seventh periodic report submitted by Spain pursuant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted in July, the Human Rights Committee expressed its concern about persistent discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities, notably the Gitano community, people of African descent and 13 14 15 16 17 18 GE.25-21065 See www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/documentation. See https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=29607. See https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=29968. See https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=29790. See https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=29803; and the Government’s response, https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=39037. See https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=30013. 5