offices spend a significant portion of their time on training — for government officials, for members of security and police forces, and for civil society groups. The core drive is to translate human rights into practical measures: how to question people without using torture; how to manage peaceful protests; how to ensure that minorities can raise their voices and participate fully in the life of a nation. We also work in the longer term, to strengthen laws and institutions that protect rights. And we seek to empower human rights defenders and civil society activists of all kinds — including activists for minority rights — so that they can confront prejudice effectively and with confidence. States must be willing to protect the human rights of their people, and people must be able to hold the State responsible. I am certain that among the distinguished representatives of minorities in this audience, many can speak for the strong effect this work has had.