Although in many cases indigenous peoples are also numerical minorities, in some countries they constitute large majorities of the population despite their relatively low political power. In some regions, indigenous peoples reject the ‘minority label’ altogether because it does not fit the numerical reality, their self-perception or the status they seek in society at large. Any groups that self-identify both as minorities and indigenous peoples, and fit relevant objective criteria, could claim rights of both groups. The highest standard of rights will apply. Figure 1. Intersecting identities for minority groups MIGRANTS ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS AND LINGUISITIC MINORITIES INDIGENOUS PEOPLES REFUGEES Key Messages  Some minority groups are also indigenous peoples  Such groups may claim both minority rights and indigenous rights but the highest human rights standards will always apply  The UNDG Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues and the UNDP Policy of Engagement with Indigenous Peoples (2001) may be applied when working with indigenous peoples. 2.5 DIVERSITY WITHIN MINORITY GROUPS: Minorities are not internally homogenous communities. Several groups may be marginalised within minority communities including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities and persons living with HIV. These groups will experience multiple forms of exclusion and intersecting discrimination. In some cases, discrimination against these groups may be culturally entrenched. The exercise of minority rights is not a justification for the practice of discrimination and the rights of such groups must be respected fully and equally. According to the UN Human Rights Committee, “none of the rights protected under article 27 of the [ICCPR] may be legitimately exercised in a manner or to an extent inconsistent with the other provisions of the [ICCPR]”.8 It is important to recall that individuals have the right not to self-identify with a minority group to avoid discrimination. For some, internal discrimination within the minority community may involuntarily push them out. For others, the social stigma and discrimination that comes with being a minority may prompt them to disassociate from this community. In the latter case, it is important to respect the right of self-identification of the individual while simultaneously working against social and political factors that devalue the minority identity. Women and girls from minority groups experience multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination based on both their minority status and their gender. Such multidimensional discrimination may make them particularly vulnerable to violations and a denial of their rights in both public and private life. Minority women often find themselves marginalised and face exclusion within their own communities and in the society alike. They might have Human Rights Committee, General Comment 23, The rights of minorities (Article 27) , UN Doc. CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.5 (8 April 1994): paragraph 8. 8 Chapter 2: Conceptual Issues 13