Permanent Delegation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations Office in Geneva Délégation Permanente de l'Organisation de la Coopération Islamique auprès de I'Office des Nations Unies à Genève Statement of Ambassador Nassima Baghli, Permanent Observer of the Organization of lslamic Cooperation to the 14th session of the Forum on Minority lssues Geneva, 2 December 2021 Mrs. Chairperson, Excellencies, Distingu ished delegates, would like first to thank Mr. de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on Minority issues for inviting the OIC to participate in this 14th session of the Forum on Minority I issues. Mr. De Varennes is to be commended for organizing 4 Regional forums in preparation of this important event which allowed us to get a broad picture of the situation of minorities in the world and the many difficulties they are facing in their daily life. Minorities are often exposed to multiple forms of discrimination, stereotyping and hate speech which contribute to exclude them from the public life in all its dimensions. This exclusion produces negative impacts on the cohesion and stability of societies and can even provoke crises and conflicts. Some communities have even been stripped of their citizenship like the Rohingya in Myanmar. Minorities are also the target of populist and extremist politicians who, for political gains, incite to racial or religious hatred. ICC - Route de Pré-bois 20, Case postale 1818. CH- 12l5 Genève l5 fax : 022 788 60 03. Ernail : geneva(4 oic-oci.olg T é1. : 022 788 60 00 - Website: httn://geneva.oic-oci.ore