A/HRC/10/38
page 10
Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally
displaced persons
31. In the report on his mission to Colombia (A/HRC/4/38/Add.3), the Representative of the
Secretary-General recommended the implementation of a comprehensive policy for
differentiated assistance to Afro-Colombian communities and individuals that takes into account
their respective cultural traditions, leadership structures and collective character. He also
recommended the creation of channels and mechanisms to engage these communities in
consultations and have them participate in determining solutions and assistance. Regarding
collective land titles of communities, he recommended that the authorities declare invalid the
titles issued for parts of the collective land sold by individuals from collective property.
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
32. In the report on her mission to Sweden (A/HRC/4/34/Add.3), the Special Rapporteur
recommended that the Government strengthen efforts to protect persons belonging to ethnic or
religious minorities from discrimination in the labour market, the justice sector and other key
areas, and consider adopting special measures to facilitate equal participation of women and men
with minority backgrounds in the educational system and the labour market.
Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment
33. In the report on his missions to Togo and Indonesia (A/HRC/7/3/Add.5 and Add.7), the
Special Rapporteur urged the Government to ensure that the criminal justice system is
non-discriminatory at every stage and that corruption, which disproportionately affects
minorities, among others, is fought.
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
34. In his reports (A/HRC/4/14 and A/HRC/7/18), the Special Rapporteur emphasized that
decisions on humanitarian assistance must be guided solely by the best interest of, among others,
minority groups, and called on the Government to take urgent measures to eliminate
discriminatory practices against ethnic groups and to ensure that no further discrimination is
carried out. He also appealed to the Government to put an end to the harassment and persecution
of representatives of ethnic groups.
IV.
WORK OF THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD AND AT HEADQUARTERS
35. OHCHR has increasingly been operationalizing its work. The Office now has
some 50 field presences and its country engagement increasingly includes activities to advance
the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Such activities contribute to promoting the
Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic
Minorities, for example, the rights to participate fully in public life, to be treated equally, to
practice one’s own religion and speak one’s own language, through strengthening dialogue
between minorities and Governments; building the capacity of persons belonging to minorities to
protect their own rights; stimulating national human rights institutions to enhance their work on