A/HRC/22/60
where possible, should also be readily available. National human rights institutions should
provide legal assistance to minorities in cases related to minority issues.
55.
National human rights institutions should extend their collaboration to regional and
international human rights mechanisms, including the United Nations, for example by
providing them with updated reports and other information on cases of violation of minority
rights and the situation of minorities in their States, and by lobbying Governments to
extend invitations and welcome visits by relevant bodies, such as United Nations special
procedures mandate holders. They should provide alternative reports on minority issues to
relevant bodies, including United Nations treaty bodies, in the context of State reporting
requirements, and the universal periodic review process of the Human Rights Council.
56.
National human rights institutions should play a central role in ensuring the
provision of human rights education for all majority and minority communities in
accordance with the plan of action of the World Programme for Human Rights Education,
and ensure that the Declaration features in human rights education initiatives. They should
mainstream a minority rights focus in the design of promotional and educational human
rights material and programmes and ensure that human rights materials are available in
minority languages. They should collaborate with sister institutions in their region and
abroad to share knowledge and good practices in the design of such material.
57.
National human rights institutions should collaborate with Government actors in
such areas as the training of public and law enforcement officials, the design and
implementation of equality projects, and ensuring equal access to justice for all persons
belonging to minorities. They should conduct social surveys, hold consultations and
workshops on minority issues, and provide targeted training to key actors, such as
journalists and human rights defenders.
C.
Civil society organizations
58.
Non-governmental and civil society organizations should promote awareness of the
Declaration and review the extent to which they integrate minority issues and use the
Declaration in their work. They should use the Declaration to engage Governments on
issues affecting minorities in their States.
59.
Non-governmental organizations should establish specific programmes to inform
minorities of the rights and remedies available to them in the event of violation. They
should assist minorities by providing legal counselling, advice and representation in legal
proceedings to help to secure their rights at the national level.
60.
Assistance should also be provided so that cases involving discrimination and other
violations of minority rights may be brought to regional and international human rights
mechanisms. For example, minority groups should consider providing information to the
Independent Expert on minority issues, where appropriate, as well as other relevant special
procedures, and consider sending reports to treaty bodies in the context of their
consideration of State reports. They should also follow closely the Universal Periodic
Review process of the Human Rights Council, and work towards the implementation of the
recommendations emanating from such bodies and processes.
61.
Minorities should establish their own organizations and associations to promote
minority rights and the cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities at the local
and national levels. They should seek collaboration with relevant stakeholders to build their
capacity, including through training on minority rights and existing standards and
mechanisms, advocacy and report-writing skills, awareness-raising workshops and
seminars, as well as through the establishment of mentoring programmes.
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