Statement by H.E. Iruthisham Adam, Vice- President of the Human Rights Council, on behalf of the President Opening of the sixth session of the Forum on Minority Issues Tuesday, 26 November 2013, 10:00 a.m. Palais des Nations, Salle XX Madam Chair, Distinguished delegates and participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure for me to open this sixth session of the Forum on Minority Issues focusing on “Guaranteeing the rights of religious minorities”. Firstly, I would like to warmly welcome Ms. Hedina Sijerčić, who has kindly accepted the important task of chairing this session of the Forum, and Ms. Rita Izsák, the Independent Expert on minority issues, who is mandated by the Council to guide the work of this Forum. I would also like to welcome representatives of Member States, United Nations specialized agencies, representatives of human rights mechanisms and bodies, international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations, academics and experts. One of the main objectives of this Forum, is to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to minorities - an open space where all stakeholders involved in the promotion and the protection of the rights of minorities in all regions could meet, exchange ideas and learn from each other’s experiences. I am particularly pleased that this Forum has been successful in bringing together hundreds of minorities from all over the world, who travel to Geneva to share their personal experiences. I would therefore like to extend a special welcome to all representatives from religious minorities, who are here today and will contribute substantively to the Forum’s proceedings and to shaping its recommendations. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities remains an essential international standard for 1