A/HRC/46/44 of incitement to hatred of minority communities, with minorities sometimes being cast as scapegoats for the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In response to widespread reports of violence, discrimination, arbitrary denial of public services, heightened exclusion and other negative impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on minorities, OHCHR has called upon States to formulate COVID-19 responses that have human rights at their centre. The range of groups most negatively affected is broad, and includes Roma, people of African descent, people of Asian descent, religious minorities, minorities among refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and stateless persons, and internally displaced persons. A number of United Nations human rights mechanisms have issued timely and specific recommendations to States, which also have great relevance for the work of other stakeholders, on a human rights-based response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including on the rights of minorities. In this challenging global environment, OHCHR has continued to extend support to States, authorities and other relevant actors to ensure that their efforts to build back better are at the same time contributing to the full implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and of their obligations related to minority rights. Such support has included issuing guidance material on COVID-19 and minorities. OHCHR helped to raise greater awareness and secure United Nations systemwide support for the rights of minorities, both through its normative and its operational work. This has included supporting the United Nations network on racial discrimination and protection of minorities. OHCHR also supported various United Nations country teams in their work of assisting States to integrate minority rights at all levels, including in laws and policies. United Nations international human rights mechanisms have called upon States to place the protection of minorities high on their agenda during this pandemic and to strengthen the mechanisms for dialogue to ensure the effective participation of minorities in decisions that affect them. Promotion of diversity, dialogue, and meaningful inclusion and participation of minorities, are enshrined in article 4 of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and are essential to safeguard and promote development, peace and security. OHCHR also continued to support minority participation, including through its redesigned Minority Fellowship Programme, by placing 15 fellows in OHCHR field presences with a view to ensuring a critical role for them as active members of society. 16