A/HRC/49/81 (d) Emphasize that most contemporary conflicts are characterized by the insufficient inclusion of minorities, often coupled with disregard for their identities and grievances as well as denial of their human rights; (e) Stress the importance of the inclusion of minorities and their representatives in policy and decision-making processes affecting them, as well as at all stages of conflict prevention and conflict resolution processes; (f) Emphasize the positive effects of minority women and minority youth leadership on conflict prevention efforts. 5. In the recommendations, the Forum also recognizes the important role that the United Nations, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, representatives of minorities and other stakeholders can have in preventing conflicts by highlighting the central role of the protection of the human rights of minorities in addressing the root causes of most conflicts. 6. The present recommendations are intended to be implemented in countries across the world in order to assist States to better understand their human rights obligations in relation to conflict prevention and minorities, and assist them in identifying approaches for the full respect of universal human rights standards. 7. They are also intended to encourage further wide-ranging discussions with the participation of representatives of minorities on the way forward and action-oriented means to advance the protection of the human rights of minorities and the prevention of conflicts involving them. II. General recommendations 8. States should ratify, accede to and adhere to all international and regional human rights instruments that protect and promote the human rights of minorities. 9. States should ensure full implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. All States, international organizations, NGOs, civil society and other entities working on the rights of minorities should make efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of protecting the rights of minorities as an effective means to prevent conflicts. 10. States must ensure that perpetrators of conflicts involving minorities are held accountable, root causes investigated and addressed, and victims properly compensated and assisted. 11. States should facilitate the voluntary and safe return of minority groups displaced due to violent conflicts by ensuring their physical security, and ensure that the necessary services are in place, including socioeconomic and psychological assistance to victims and survivors. 12. All States, the United Nations and international and regional organizations are urged to act early when risk factors are initially identified to prevent conflicts involving minorities from escalating. 13. United Nations, regional and other intergovernmental organizations should proactively mainstream the know-how regarding minority issues throughout its systems and beyond by: (a) Adopting a decade on the issues and rights of minorities to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities in 2022; (b) Carrying out training activities to educate staff members on minority rights and develop an in-depth understanding of minority rights, referencing the colonial context of minority issues whenever relevant. 14. United Nations agencies and human rights mechanisms, regional and international organizations should enhance their efforts to ensure a systematic dialogue on issues pertaining to minorities, especially concerning conflict prevention. 3