A/67/293 I. Introduction 1. The Human Rights Council has requested the Independent Expert, inter alia, to promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (hereinafter referred to as “the Declaration”), 1 including through consultations with Governments, taking into account existing international standards and national legislation concerning minorities. 2. The present report focuses on the value of institutional attention to minority issues within governmental bodies, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, as well as the role of regional and international human and minority rights mechanisms in promoting implementation of the Declaration. It considers essential elements for consideration by Governments and other stakeholders, and the functions and activities inspired and undertaken by bodies, including ombudspersons, equality bodies, commissions, and advisory and consultative bodies providing institutional attention to minority issues. The Independent Expert does not promote a particular model or institutional arrangement, but emphasizes the value of dedicated attention to minority issues within the institutional framework considered appropriate by each State in view of national circumstances. 3. Examples are drawn from different regions and the work and official country visits of the mandate of the Independent Expert. On 21 June 2012, the Independent Expert sent a questionnaire to all United Nations Member States relating to their implementation of the Declaration in practice, including questions relating to the existence and functions of institutional bodies and arrangements relevant to minority issues. She thanks those States that have responded to date 2 and includes brief pieces of information derived from these responses where appropriate. Examples used are intended to reflect a range of national practices for ensuring institutional attention to minority issues and their use does not constitute an explicit or implicit endorsement of any institution or its performance. 4. On 22 and 23 May 2012, in Vienna, the Independent Expert participated in an expert seminar on “Enhancing the effectiveness of international, regional and national human rights mechanisms in protecting and promoting the rights of religious minorities”, hosted by the Government of Austria, which provided valuable perspectives and information on initiatives designed to protect religious minorities relevant to this report. In addition, the annual sessions of the Forum on Minority Issues have provided information and national examples. The Independent Expert notes that the fifth session of the Forum will be held under the guidance of her mandate on 27 and 28 November 2012. The Forum will focus on “Implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities: identifying positive practices and opportunities”. __________________ 1 2 4 General Assembly resolution 47/135, annex. At the time of submission, responses had been received from the Governments of Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Portugal, Qatar, Seychelles and Slovenia. 12-45950