BOX 2 (continued) Mechanisms that monitor, review or relate to these treaties and declarations include treaty bodies, independent experts and working groups in various forms. Some mechanisms are quasijudicial. Minorities have pursued several minority rights cases using international and regional human rights mechanisms. The decisions of these bodies have established a number of important principles for the protection of minorities (see Annex II). International experts and working groups established by inter-governmental organizations have successfully used diplomacy and dialogue to address minority issues. For example, the UN Independent Expert on minority issues has engaged in a range of important initiatives, including working with UNDP, conducting country visits and responding to communications from minorities. An overview of some of the key mechanisms with a particular focus on minorities and/or indigenous peoples is included below. Further information on the work of these mechanisms can be found in Chapters 11-12 and Annexes II-III of the Guide. Table 2. Key international mechanisms on minorities and indigenous peoples Mechanism Organisation Activities UN Treaty Bodies United Nations • Adjudicate on individual complaints • Review State reports and make recommendations on rights implementation • Accept alternative (‘shadow’) reports from CSOs on treaty implementation • Produce expert opinions on application of the treaties (i.e. as General Comments/General Recommendations) Independent Expert on minority issues United Nations • Promotes the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities • Conducts country visits and makes recommendations on legislative and policy reform (vis-à-vis minorities) • Receives and may respond to communications from minority groups on issues of concern • Engages in normative development and in policy advice Special Procedures (especially on Racism and Discrimination, Indigenous People, Freedom of Religion, Migrant Workers) United Nations • Conduct country visits and make recommendations on legislative and policy reform (vis-à-vis minorities) • Receive and may respond to communications from groups on issues of concern • Engage in policy advice and normative development 28 M A R G I N A L I S E D M I N O R I T I E S I N D E V E LO P M E N T P R O G R A M M I N g