Statement by H.E. Alex Van Meeuwen President of the Human Rights Council Opening of the second session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues Thursday, 12 November 2009, 10:00 a.m. Palais des Nations, Salle XX Madam Chairperson, Deputy High Commissioner, Independent Expert, Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, It is a great honor for me to address you at this opening of the second session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues. At the outset, I would like to warmly welcome and express my gratitude to Ms. Barbara Lee, member of the United States House of Representatives, who has kindly accepted the important task of chairing this meeting. I would also like to express my warm welcome to the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights who is joining us today, as well as to the representatives of Member States, United Nations specialised agencies, representatives of the human rights treaty bodies, international and regional organisations, national human rights institutions, as well as nongovernmental organisations, academic and experts. I would like to extend a special welcome to all those minority political actors from around the world who have travelled to Geneva to share their experiences with the Forum participants, and bring their wealth of first-hand knowledge to this important gathering.