A/HRC/22/49 including translation of key information, web-based resources targeted at minorities, and policies of promoting training of minorities and their recruitment at national and local levels in public institutions. The use of minority mediators is a positive practice utilized by some States to improve communication with minorities. It may also be appropriate to encourage and facilitate cross-border cooperation, for example where a linguistic minority has a neighbouring or kin State with a shared language tradition. 77. Minority languages are declining at a worrying rate in all regions. In some cases that decline reflects a process of language loss which is almost irreversible, due to factors such as globalization and processes of assimilation and cultural dilution. However, in many cases, the disappearance of minority languages is a failure of protection of the rights of minority communities who wish to maintain their languages, as well as a tragedy for a nation’s cultural and linguistic heritage and diversity. Long-term data collection and analysis helps to reveal the relative health of minority languages and the growth or decline of language use and is essential for the preservation of some threatened languages. 78. A lack of recognition and constitutional and legal protection of linguistic minority rights is often a contributing factor to the decline. In many instances not enough has been done to support and promote a minority language and its users, and the provisions of the 1992 Declaration on Minorities have not been implemented in practice. The Independent Expert on minority issues welcomes the work undertaken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to protect endangered languages and promote linguistic diversity. She supports the interdisciplinary approach taken by UNESCO to the promotion of linguistic diversity, which incorporates capacity-building, research and analysis, awareness-raising, project implementation, networks and dissemination of information. Nevertheless, vital work can be conducted only at the national levels, and where necessary States should seek assistance and technical cooperation. 79. In many cases a strong community desire exists to maintain minority languages as a core and indispensable element of culture and identity. Sometimes this is viewed by Governments as divisive and counter to State ideologies and policies to promote national identity, national unity, integration and territorial integrity. In States in which historical, political and geographical factors have created highly diverse communities, disputes over territories and borders and tensions between different national, ethnic, religious and linguistic groups may exist. Irrespective of such factors States are obligated to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of linguistic minorities, and restrictions must be in the public interest and proportional to the aims sought. 80. Globally, grievances and tensions relating to language rights and the rights of linguistic minorities have emerged and have even led to conflict. Restriction on the rights to use minority languages freely may be, or may be interpreted as, a threat to minority identity. It is important to acknowledge that issues relating to linguistic minorities and their rights may have implications for security and national stability. Protection of linguistic minority rights is a human rights obligation and an essential component of good governance, efforts to prevent tensions and conflict, and the construction of equal and politically and socially stable societies. To create unity in diversity requires dialogue with all stakeholders, including on how to appropriately accommodate the language needs and rights of all groups. 81. Minority communities are not homogenous and it is important to understand the challenges facing those, including women, children and the elderly, whose needs, perceptions and expectations may vary. Older people, who may be first-generation immigrants, may have stronger linguistic and cultural ties than young people who have been brought up and educated in their country of residence. They may face 20