A/HRC/RES/22/4 Emphasizing also the importance of dialogue among all relevant stakeholders on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities as an integral part of the development of society as a whole, including the sharing of best practices, such as for the promotion of a mutual understanding of minority issues, managing diversity by recognizing plural identities, and promoting inclusive and stable societies, as well as social cohesion therein, Emphasizing further the importance of national processes aimed at promoting and strengthening dialogue between all relevant stakeholders on issues relating to the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities with a view to ensuring the realization of their rights without discrimination and to help build stable societies, Acknowledging that the United Nations has an important role to play with regard to the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities by, inter alia, taking due account of, and giving effect to, the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, Noting that 2012 marked the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration, Affirming that the above-mentioned anniversary offered an important opportunity to reflect on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as well as on achievements, best practices and challenges with regard to the implementation of the Declaration, and reaffirming the principles and commitments therein, Recognizing, in this context, the important role played by the Independent Expert on minority issues in promoting the implementation of the Declaration, 1. Takes note of the report of the Independent Expert on minority issues on persons belonging to linguistic minorities,1 and of the report on the recommendations of the Forum on Minority Issues at its fifth session,2 as well as of the report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on persons belonging to religious minorities;3 2. Also takes note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities4 and of the summary of the panel discussion to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities;5 3. Urges States to undertake initiatives to ensure that persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities are aware of and able to exercise their rights as set out in the Declaration and in other international human rights obligations and commitments; 4. Also urges States to develop appropriate mechanisms for effective participation of and consultation with persons belonging to minorities in order to take into account their views in decision-making processes affecting them, with a view to promoting 1 2 3 4 5 2 A/HRC/22/49. A/HRC/22/60. A/HRC/22/51. A/HRC/22/27. A/HRC/20/6.