A/HRC/34/53 migration dynamics whereby new minorities are called upon to coexist with other groups who have been established for a longer time on the territory. 78. The national dimension of the institutional attention to minority issues must be complemented and reinforced by solid regional and international mechanisms tasked to promote domestication of minority rights, as well as the protection and promotion of minority standards regionally and internationally. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur recognizes several existing good practices, such as the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and various dedicated mechanisms of the Council of Europe, while also noting the need for further strengthening regional mechanisms. For instance, there are no specialized mechanisms on minorities within the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Economic Community of West African States or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Special Rapporteur began a dialogue, encouraging the creation of focal points on minorities within regional mechanisms as a starting point, and urged that consideration be given to the possible extension of the mandates of relevant existing bodies. 4. Strengthening the role of the United Nations in the protection of minorities 79. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the increasing attention devoted by the United Nations to minority issues worldwide in recent years, as well as within the system itself. This includes the creation in 2012 of the United Nations network on racial discrimination and the protection of minorities,10 coordinated by OHCHR and comprised of more than 20 United Nations departments, agencies, programmes and funds. The network developed specific recommendations and principles for effective United Nations action in addressing racial discrimination and protection of minorities in line with international standards, which were issued as a guidance note of the Secretary-General in 2013.11 80. In view of the current state of affairs, with increasing hate speech, xenophobic rhetoric and incitement to hatred against minorities, coupled with the rise of far-right and extremist political parties worldwide, the Special Rapporteur believes that it is crucial to appoint a high-level official on minority issues within the Secretariat and to establish senior positions within United Nations departments and agencies dedicated solely to issues of minority rights protection, diversity management and safeguarding pluralistic societies. The designation of minority focal points in all United Nations field offices would also be a great step forward. 81. The Special Rapporteur also believes that United Nations staff in all offices and entities, particularly in the field, should better reflect the national, ethnic and religious makeup of the societies in which they operate. Staff members from minority groups not only bring expertise on the issues affecting minorities to the work of the United Nations, but also serve as a bridge between United Nations and minority communities. The Special Rapporteur was pleased to identify good practices in this regard. In 2012, the United Nations country team in the Republic of Moldova conducted an internal survey to assess the diversity of its staff and launched an internship programme for persons belonging to the identified underrepresented groups, including persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants and Roma. The Special Rapporteur strongly encourages the replication of this initiative in other United Nations offices. 82. As part of its crucial role on minority issues, it is imperative that the United Nations take a stronger stance in advocating for minority rights protection at both national and 10 11 16 Policy Committee decision No. 2012/4 of 6 March 2012. Available from www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Minorities/GuidanceNoteRacial DiscriminationMinorities.pdf.