Statement by a Representative of the Delegation from the Russian Federation on the 4th Session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues on the topic relating to Women belonging to National Minorities and Effective Political Participation (Geneva, 29 November 2011) Mr Chairman, It is a pleasure to note that high attention is given to the gender issue when considering the rights of persons belonging to national, linguistic and religious minorities. We suppose that in this context issues relating to the participation of women belonging to national minorities in the political and social life deserve special attention. The legislation of the Russian Federation is based on the sectoral principle of law. The norms of the general character relating to the prohibition of discrimination of individuals on the grounds of their national belonging act in conjunction with human rights in a specific area. It is referred to the realisation of their right to employment, the right to education, the right to use their native language, the right to enjoy cultural products, etc. Thus the principle of non-discrimination extends to any right recognized by the Constitution of Russia and its national legislation. The key document in this field is the Concept of State Nationalities Policy of the Russian Federation, approved by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 1996. Furthermore, in the field of the protection of national minorities there is a significant number of acts of the Government of the Russian Federation determining statutory provisions and ensuring their implementation. This year marks the 94th anniversary of the voting right enjoyed by the women of Russia. „Second page missing” Including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and also the universal periodic review, in particular relating to the improvement of the situation of persons belonging to national minorities, the reduction of statelessness, granting automatic citizenship to children of non-citizens, participation at municipal elections. We hope that the Forum’s final recommendations will address the need for the use of a comprehensive approach to the solution of issues relating to women belonging to minorities. Thank you for your attention.