A/67/293 74. The Paris principles require bodies to address racial discrimination proactively, including by increasing public awareness through provision of information and education and by making use of all press organs. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have highlighted the fact that in some States the rights of groups including minorities may be controversial and contested and that national human rights institutions “are frequently the only ones that can and do speak out in defence of those who have no voice, or whose influence is minimal”. 32 They frequently provide vital critical assessments of Government policy and practice, including through reports to United Nations treaty bodies that provide non-governmental perspectives and substantive recommendations. With specialist minority expertise, they are well placed to advise Governments and critique their minority-related policy and practice. 75. Owing to financial factors, administrative and resource burdens and the importance of institutional identity, strong general human rights institutions are preferred by many States. However, the European Centre for Minority Issues states that “given the importance of minority issues to both the minority and the majority communities … the appointment of an officer or establishment of a specialized department in the field of minority protection can only be welcomed”. 33 In reality, departments or sections may work within less well defined policy and mandate frameworks than those of dedicated bodies, and may face staff and resource restrictions. Senior appointments, including such posts as deputy ombudsperson for minorities, could be regarded as maintaining appropriate high-level focus on minority issues. 76. Dedicated minority ombudsperson’s offices, commissions or racial equality bodies, with clearly defined minority rights mandates, can create strong institutional identity and relatively high issue-visibility. Their mandates commonly demonstrate proactive, wide-ranging activities. The Ombudsman for Minorities of Finland, for example, works to advance the status and legal protection of ethnic minorities, as well as equality, non-discrimination and good ethnic relations. 34 Its activities include: providing guidance on ethnicity issues and information and training on ethnicity; influencing topical issues by participating in public debates; and issuing statements. It supervises compliance with the non-discrimination act, offers legal opinions and advice and undertakes reconciliation. 77. An important role of independent human rights bodies is in provision of complaint-handling services. Disadvantaged minorities may be reluctant to report incidents of discrimination or lack information or resources that enable them to make or pursue complaints. Specialist bodies frequently provide legal assistance and advisory services. They may offer alternative pathways, including mediation services that pursue solutions outside the courts and provide relatively quick, free and less formal access to remedies. However complaint-handling activities should include the ability to conduct investigations based on information or complaints received and to initiate or pursue legal action in the courts and/or refer cases to other appropriate bodies, including tribunals. __________________ 32 33 34 12-45950 See http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/NHRI/1950-UNDP-UHCHR-Toolkit-LR.pdf. See http://www.ecmi.de/uploads/tx_lfpubdb/Ombudsman_guide_English.pdf. See http://www.vahemmistovaltuutettu.fi/english. 23