A/HRC/FMI/2016/1 Opening meeting The President of the Human Rights Council will deliver an opening statement, which will be followed by statements by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Chair of the Forum on Minority Issues and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. Documentation In addition to being distributed to participants in hard copy, the documents for the session will be made available on the website of the Human Rights Council (www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Minority/Pages/Session9.aspx). Discussions Participants will have the opportunity to make brief presentations and comments on the draft recommendations before them. After the presentations introducing the topics to be discussed under each agenda item, all participants will be invited to contribute to an open discussion. Participants should indicate their interest in speaking by adding their names to a sign-up sheet at the beginning of each session. 2. Legal framework and key concepts At the ninth session, participants will review provisions of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, refugee law and disaster law relevant to the respect, protection and fulfilment of the rights of minorities in situations of humanitarian crisis. Through the presentations and discussions, participants will seek to propose ways to bridge gaps between international standards and national legislation and implementation. They will also discuss the role of legal and policy frameworks for increasing the accountability of international humanitarian actors towards affected populations, including minorities, while recognizing existing commitments and systems such as those in place for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Participants will discuss how international and regional principles and standards pertaining to minorities, such as the fundamental right to equality and non-discrimination and the rights to the protection of their existence, to the promotion of their identity and to an effective and meaningful participation, can best be reflected in the development of national and international humanitarian relief programmes. 3. Respecting minority rights as a means of preventing or mitigating the impact of humanitarian crises Participants will identify and discuss key factors that lead to humanitarian crises — such as those resulting from conflicts, natural and man-made disasters and pandemics — having a disproportionate impact on minority groups. At the ninth session, participants will examine how that disproportionate impact on minority communities could be avoided or mitigated through thorough and participative planning and contingency plans. Acknowledging the strong link between peace, stability and the protection and promotion of minority rights, participants will also explore how the respect, protection and fulfilment of minority rights can contribute to the prevention of humanitarian crises. In that respect, early warning mechanisms have an essential role to play in preventing conflict, as they involve the monitoring of issues such as: respect for and promotion of minority identity; participation of minorities in political, economic and cultural life; and equal and effective access to justice and other effective remedies for violations of the human rights of minority groups. Participants will seek to draw from the experiences of minority groups whose efforts to create and maintain harmonious, diversified, inclusive and participative societies have contributed to preventing conflict. They will also consider the extent to which 2