A/HRC/13/25 I. Introduction 1. Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 6/15, the second session of the Forum on Minority Issues focused on the issue of minorities and effective political participation. The Chairperson of the Forum was United States Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who also chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. The work of the Forum was guided by the independent expert on minority issues, Gay McDougall. The more than 500 participants included representatives of Governments, treaty bodies, United Nations specialized agencies and civil society. Importantly, the participants included minority political actors from all regions of the world who are actively pursuing greater and more effective political participation for themselves and their communities. 2. The Forum produced thematic recommendations that are action-oriented and aimed at increasing the inclusion and recognition of minorities within the State, while enabling them to maintain their own identity and characteristics, thus promoting good governance and the integrity of the State. The recommendations are based on international human rights norms. In addition to the principles contained in the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and the clarifications provided in the commentary thereto, the recommendations draw upon other relevant international and regional human rights standards, principles and guidelines developed by various stakeholders and national legislation.1 The Declaration on Minorities is itself inspired by article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The jurisprudence and general comments of the Human Rights Committee, particularly regarding the implementation of articles 25 and 27, have also informed these recommendations. 3. The recommendations are phrased in broad terms and may be implemented in countries with diverse historical, cultural and religious backgrounds, with full respect for universal human rights. They take into account the fact that, owing to the great variety and developments of situations, standard solutions are generally neither possible nor desirable. 4. The present document, which should be read in conjunction with the background document on minorities and effective political participation (A/HRC/FMI/2009/3), seeks to provide decision makers, public officials, non-governmental organizations, academics and other stakeholders with an overview of possible options to assist them in making informed choices when designing legislation and policies aimed at ensuring adequate minority participation. While there are no “one size fits all” models for every conceivable context, the options identified herein offer a number of positive examples of moving towards more effective participation and representation of minorities, consistent with the ideals of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights. Moreover, a country situation will obviously evolve over time and should therefore be assessed on a regular basis in order that mechanisms may be adjusted to ensure the effective participation of minorities. 5. Many situations around the world demonstrate that an adequate representation of persons belonging to minorities in policy and decision-making by society is instrumental in breaking the cycle of discrimination and exclusion suffered by members of these groups, as well as their often disproportionate levels of poverty and other impediments to the full 1 2 See also article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which provides that “States parties shall guarantee to persons with disabilities political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others” and ensure that “voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use”. GE.10-10615