13th Session, Geneva, 19 and 20 November 2020 well as thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. The Forum shall analyse practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives in addressing hate speech against minorities in social media, in line with human rights law, paying attention to the principles and rights enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and other relevant international instruments. The Forum shall, inter alia, examine effective state legislation, policies and programmes as well as initiatives of other relevant stakeholders, including international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions, internet companies and social media platforms and civil society. 2. Participants The Forum shall be open to the participation of States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts on minority issues, internet companies and social media platforms, representatives of minorities, minority and nongovernmental organizations. 3. Areas of Discussion In light of the main objectives of the forum the discussions will address the following overarching themes that reflect the main challenges and issues in the field of hate speech in social media and the human rights of persons belonging to minorities:     Causes, scale and impact of hate speech targeting minorities in social media International legal and institutional framework Regulation of online hate speech: the role and responsibility of intergovernmental organizations, States, internet companies and social media platforms Towards a safer space for minorities: positive initiatives to address online hate speech: the role of NHRIs, human rights organizations, civil society and other stakeholders 4