A/50/514 English Page 15 B. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 53. While the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination does not contain any article aimed specifically at the promotion and protection of the rights of minorities, article 2(2) is of relevance to ethnic or racial groups as it imposes an obligation on States parties to undertake affirmative action in respect of groups which have suffered from discriminatory practices. According to article 2(2) States must take affirmative action "when the circumstances so warrant". In respect of the applicability of this article in situations where the Government concerned denies the identity or existence of a particular group, it seems that the practice of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination tends towards the applicability of broad criteria of assessment. 54. At its forty-sixth session in March 1995, the Committee considered the question of the nature of the right to self-determination of ethnic or religious groups or minorities. During the discussion, the view was expressed that Governments should, in accordance with article 2(2) of the Convention, be sensitive to the aspirations of ethnic groups, particularly their rights to lead lives of dignity, to preserve their cultures, to share equitably in the fruits of national growth and to play their part in the government of the countries of which their members are citizens. Governments should consider, within their respective constitutional frameworks, vesting ethnic or linguistic groups of their citizens, with the affairs which are particularly relevant to the preservation of the identities of such groups. The Committee expressed its opposition to the fragmentation of States and stressed the importance of adhering to the principles of international law concerning secession. 55. At its forty-sixth session in March 1995 and its forty-seventh session in August 1995, the Committee considered periodic reports submitted by States parties and made observations on the various measures undertaken by certain States with a view to the promotion of racial or ethnic tolerance among communities. Particular measures were referred to in the concluding observations with regard to the periodic reports of, among others, Belarus, Croatia, Guatemala, Italy, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Romania, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. The Committee adopted two decisions on Burundi 6(46) and 1(47), one on Rwanda 7(46), two on Papua New Guinea 8(46) and 3(47) and one on Bosnia and Herzegovina 2(47). VI. SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS 56. In a number of cases, special rapporteurs appointed by United Nations human rights organs to investigate human rights situations in specific regions and countries and on thematic issues have addressed the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities within their mandates or have been confronted with violations of the rights of persons belonging to minorities. 57. The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Mr. Maurice Glèlè-Ahanhanzo, in his report to the Commission at its fifty-first session (E/CN.4/1995/78) /...