10 PROMOTING AND PROTECTING MINORITY RIGHTS forum for human rights dialogue and makes recommendations to the General Assembly for the development of international human rights law (see chap. III). The Special Procedures Branch supports the work of the special procedures, that is, individuals or expert groups appointed by the Council to monitor human rights in various countries or in relation to specific issues. OHCHR assists these independent experts as they carry out thematic work, conduct visits to the field, receive and consider complaints from victims of human rights violations and appeal to States on behalf of victims (see chap. IV). The Human Rights Treaties Division provides legal research and secretariat support to the core human rights treaty bodies (see chap. V). Treaty bodies or committees are composed of independent experts who monitor States parties’ compliance with their treaty obligations through examining periodic reports, issuing recommendations and general comments and (for some committees) considering individual complaints of treaty violations. The Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD) provides substantive and administrative support to the work of the more than 50 human rights field presences, generally coordinates the development and implementation of OHCHR work at country level and manages OHCHR technical cooperation programmes. The Division is one of the most important points of entry (along with the Civil Society Section) for minority rights activists as it can offer advice on country-specific situations. Minority rights defenders are also an invaluable source of information on the situation of the minorities to which they belong. The Research and Right to Development Division provides legal and policy advice and undertakes substantive research on a broad range of thematic human rights issues. The Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section (IPMS) is situated within this Division. It works at both international and national levels to improve human rights protection for persons belonging to minorities through strategies such as strengthening relevant legislation, policies and practices and undertaking capacity-building activities, while also promoting the Minorities Declaration and other key human rights standards. The Division works on matters such as the rule of law; the administration of justice; and issues relating to poverty, development, discrimination and the rights of vulnerable groups. It develops methodological tools and learning resources, and engages with stakeholders, disseminating research findings, providing advice and training, undertaking needs assessments, and designing and assisting in the implementation of capacity-building projects at country level. The Civil Society Section is the main entry point for civil society actors wishing to contact OHCHR headquarters. It provides information and advice on a broad range of issues, advises on policies and strategies to enhance cooperation, and develops tools to assist civil society in engaging with the United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms. The New York office of OHCHR represents the High Commissioner in New York.16 It works for the effective integration of human rights norms and standards in the decision-making and operational activities of intergovernmental and inter-agency bodies based at United Nations headquarters. It also leads efforts to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.17 See www.ohchr.org/EN/NewYork/Pages/Overview.aspx (accessed 29 November 2012). 16 Since the Minorities Declaration is devoted to national or ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, persons of particular sexual orientation or identity (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersexual) fall under its scope when they are also members of a national or ethnic, linguistic and religious minority, in which case efforts aimed at guaranteeing their human rights require addressing multiple discrimination issues. 17