President of the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner for Human Rights, Chair of the Forum on Minority Issues, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, I am honoured to address this seventh session of the Forum on Minority Issues. The theme of this year’s Forum is particularly timely and appropriate. We have all seen the unfolding tragedy in Iraq and Syria where Christians, Turkmens, Yezidis and other minorities have been targeted for the most brutal atrocities. Sadly, this is not an exception. Violence and atrocity crimes directed against minorities all over the world are well documented, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and genocide. It is the duty of the international community to draw lessons from these horrific events. We must prevent them from being repeated. We cannot continue to say “never again” – in itself a recognition of failure. The United Nations as a whole and all Member States must renew our commitments and intensify our efforts to promote and protect minority rights worldwide. 2