A/HRC/13/23 I. Introduction 1. The independent expert is pleased to submit to the Human Rights Council her fifth annual report pursuant to Council resolution 7/6 of 27 March 2008. This report provides an overview of her activities undertaken since her previous report, submitted in January 2009.1 In addition, it provides a thematic background paper on “Minorities and Effective Political Participation”, which was the thematic focus of the second session of the Forum on Minority Issues, held on 12 and 13 November 2009. II. Activities of the independent expert on minority issues A. Country visits 2. The independent expert visited Kazakhstan from 6 to 15 July 2009. The visit provided an opportunity to consult widely on legislation, policy and practice relating to minority communities and issues relevant to diverse communities. She visited Astana and Almaty, and held consultations with senior government representatives with responsibilities in the field of minority rights, culture and language, anti-discrimination and equality. She also held numerous meetings with ethnic and cultural associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), members of minority communities and journalists and hosted a forum for minority women. She took particular interest in the Assembly of the People, which is a constitutionally recognized institution to provide representation of minority communities at the national level. The visit allowed a unique opportunity for dialogue on implementation by Kazakhstan of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992 Declaration on Minorities). The visit report is available as document A/HRC/13/23/Add.1. 3. From 13 to 23 October 2009, the independent expert also visited Canada, including the provinces of Ontario, British Colombia and Quebec. She focused her visit on issues relating to African and Caribbean Canadians, Muslim Canadians and Asian Canadians. Persons belonging to minorities generally described Canada as a society open to and accepting of cultural, religious and linguistic differences. She noted the leadership of Canada in fashioning a State policy of multiculturalism and its impressive constitutional and legislative framework to guarantee non-discrimination. The visit report is available as document A/HRC/13/23/Add.2. 4. The independent expert thanks the Governments of Kazakhstan and of Canada for their exemplary cooperation during the preparation and conduct of her visits. In addition, she welcomes an invitation to visit Colombia between 1 and 12 February 2010. She looks forward to receiving replies to her requests for visits to Bangladesh, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Rwanda, Surinam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Viet Nam. B. Other activities 5. The independent expert receives information from diverse sources regarding challenges to implementation of the 1992 Declaration on Minorities and alleged violations of the rights of persons belonging to minorities. She consults with Governments by sending 1 4 A/HRC/10/11. GE.10-10198