The Human Rights Council Forum on Minority Issues Guaranteeing the Rights of Minority Women 4th Session Geneva, November 29-30, 2011 Intervention concerning Item 3 of the Work Programme. Intervention presented by Hussam Abdallah from Iraq of (The Azidi Fraternity & Solidarity League (AFSL)) and (The Alliance of Iraqi Minorities (AIM)). Thank you Mr President for the opportunity to intervene, Iraq has been living through a situation of sectarian violence during the past period: killing based on identity and direct targeting of areas of minorities. And now, we are approaching the stage of withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. Members of minorities are anxious due to the evident targeting of the region in which they live and the places of their work in addition to the difficulties of accessing universities and colleges and this reflects on women and their ability to practice their rights. Recommendations for the Iraqi Government and the United Nations  I invite both the UN and the Iraqi government to increase their efforts in protecting minority areas by engaging the residents in the security system protecting these areas or by engaging UN security forces in to protect these areas, with the goal of promoting equal access for women to education and especially provide safe and nearby places of study for them, in order to achieve equal access to opportunities of education. Thank you, Mr President. E-mail: hussam_en@yahoo.com