A/HRC/FMI/2010/2 I. Introduction 1. The third session of the Forum on Minority Issues will focus on the topic of minorities and effective participation in economic life. 2. The Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities states that persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life (art. 2, para. 2). In addition, it states that ensuring that persons belonging to minorities are “an integral part of the development of society as a whole” is necessary to maintain or build harmonious and respectful relations among a society’s various components (preambular para. 6). Furthermore, the Declaration highlights that States should consider appropriate measures so that persons belonging to minorities may participate fully in the economic progress and development in their country (art. 4, para. 5). 3. Economic exclusion is a cause, a manifestation and a consequence of discrimination against persons belonging to minorities. Many minorities have historically been excluded from full and effective participation in economic life, both in the developed and in the developing world. Minorities are often discriminated against when they seek employment, for example, on the basis of their colour, religion, language, names or even addresses. Minorities are often poorly represented even in public sector employment, despite legislation that bans discrimination in both public and private sectors. They may face barriers in accessing credit or loans to begin small businesses and may live in the poorest or remote regions that offer limited prospects for their economic development. Equally, large– scale economic development projects or commercial activities carried out on the lands and territories where minorities live without prior consultation of these minorities has had negative impacts, including displacement, the perpetuation of poverty and, in some cases, violence. 4. Several factors and challenges can exacerbate this exclusion of minorities, including deteriorating economic conditions, ethnic tensions and rising discrimination. In some countries, unequal regional distribution of resources and services and a lack of basic infrastructure in regions where minorities live often have the effect of preventing them from fully exercising their economic and social rights. The numerical disadvantage of minority status can also translate into lack of political power and exclusion from effective participation in decision-making processes to protect rights or access to mechanisms of justice when rights are violated. The past decade has also brought into the picture new and unanticipated challenges, including the global food and economic crises that have been proven to have a greater impact on particular vulnerable groups and minorities. 5. Consequently, the rights of minorities to participate effectively in economic life must be fully taken into account by Governments seeking to promote equality at every level. From implementing non-discrimination in employment, and enforcing corporate responsibility principles to developing national economic development and international development assistance schemes, Governments face the constant challenge of ensuring that the rights of minorities are protected and that they benefit as equal stakeholders in society. In this regard, in their response to the current global crisis, development agencies, financial institutions and other actors involved in international cooperation are also faced with this challenge of ensuring that measures taken and cooperation envisaged in order to alleviate the effects of the crisis do not negatively impact minority rights. 2