A/RES/49/192 Page 2 Aware of the provisions of article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 3/ concerning the rights of persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities, Acknowledging that the United Nations has an increasingly important role to play regarding the protection of minorities by, inter alia, taking due account of and giving effect to the Declaration, Concerned by the growing frequency and severity of disputes and conflicts concerning minorities in many countries, and their often tragic consequences, Affirming that effective measures and the creation of favourable conditions for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, ensuring effective non-discrimination and equality for all, contribute to the prevention and peaceful solution of human rights problems and situations involving minorities, Considering that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to political and social stability and peace and enrich the cultural heritage of society as a whole of the States in which such persons live, Noting the work of the High Commissioner for National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Reaffirming the obligation of States to ensure that persons belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full equality before the law in accordance with the Declaration, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General, 4/ Mindful of the recommendations contained in section II, paragraphs 25 to 27, of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, 5/ 1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General; 2. Urges States and the international community to promote and protect the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as set out in the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, including through the facilitation of their full participation in all aspects of the political, economic, social, religious and cultural life of society and in the economic progress and development in their country; 3. Urges States to take, as appropriate, all the necessary constitutional, legislative, administrative and other measures to promote and give effect to the principles contained in the Declaration; 3/ See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. 4/ A/49/415 and Add.1. 5/ A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III. /...