A/HRC/40/71 caused by conflict, forced displacement and migration, which can also, inter alia, result in family separation, loss of identity documentation and prolonged exile from the place of origin. 15. During the third panel discussion, participants raised the issue of ensuring the right to a nationality for persons belonging to minorities through facilitation of birth registration, naturalization and citizenship for stateless minorities. Participants emphasized the importance of fair and effective legislative and administrative measures which would ensure the enjoyment of the right to a nationality for all without discrimination or arbitrary barriers. 16. The fourth panel discussion addressed the situation of minority women and children affected by statelessness and the importance of advancing gender equality in nationality laws. The participants pointed out the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that women and children face both because of their status as women and children and as a result of their statelessness, as well as the continuing existence of legislation in some countries preventing women from passing their citizenship to their children. B. General recommendations 17. States should ratify, accede to and adhere to all international and regional human rights instruments that protect and promote the rights of minorities and those aiming to combat statelessness. 18. States should ensure full implementation of international human rights instruments, including, in particular, the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, and should take steps to incorporate them in national legislation. 19. States should take legislative, administrative and policy measures aimed at eliminating statelessness affecting minorities by, inter alia, adopting anti-discrimination legislation addressing birth registration and a fair, facilitated and transparent procedure for accessing identity and other documentation necessary to acquire a nationality and citizenship for persons belonging to minorities. 20. All States, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society and other entities working on the rights of minorities should make efforts to collect disaggregated data to inform policymakers about statelessness of minorities with the aim of addressing the issue in the most comprehensive manner. 21. States are encouraged to increase international and regional cooperation on combating the issue of statelessness and promotion of the rights of persons belonging to minorities and share best practices and effective strategies in this regard. 22. States and the United Nations are encouraged to designate an international day on the elimination of statelessness with the aim of raising further awareness, inter alia, on the importance of combating statelessness through the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities. 23. States, national human rights institutions and civil society representatives are encouraged to use the United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, the universal periodic review, treaty bodies and other appropriate forums to raise the issue of statelessness and minority rights, provide recommendations and call for action to eliminate statelessness. 24. National human rights institutions should take measures to address situations of statelessness of minorities and take action to combat statelessness in their respective countries. 25. States should refer to minority rights and statelessness affecting minorities when developing and adopting relevant resolutions, policies, guidelines and other tools. 26. States should create a safe and enabling environment for civil society representatives working on minority issues to monitor the implementation of States’ obligations towards ensuring the right to a nationality for stateless minorities. 5