Anti-discrimination laws should be in place to protect the rights of minorities. ‘Other measures’ can include consultative panels or committees composed of representatives from minority communities, covering issues in many realms of public life, including judicial, administrative and education systems. For example, in the Philippines, a National Commission on Muslim Filipinos made up of members from the minority Muslim community appointed by the President, gives advice on inclusive policy ranging from cultural matters to conflict resolution. What constitutes ‘appropriate’ must be decided through meaningful consultation with affected communities. Different policies will be required for different communities to respond to various needs and issues. Special Procedures Mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, usually a working group or an individual, that monitor human rights in a given country or look at thematic issues (health or education); they are often called ‘independent experts’ or ‘special rapporteurs’. Top: Sabean-Mandaean brides participate in a wedding ritual on the banks of the Tigris River, Baghdad, Iraq. Shiho Fukada/Panos. Above: A Roma father and son take a break from picking porcini mushrooms in a forest on the Apuseni mountains, Romania. Tim Dirven/Panos. Right: A Tigray woman and child in northern Ethiopia. Pietro Cenini/Panos. 6 Article 2 1. Persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities … have the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion, and to use their own language, in private and in public, freely and without interference or any form of discrimination. States must undertake protective measures and encourage conditions that allow minorities to enjoy their cultures, religions and languages, not only through non-discrimination but also positive reinforcement. In this way, minority cultures will be celebrated as part of the wider national culture, leading to greater understanding and peace between groups. 2. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life. The effective participation of minorities in decisions that affect their lives is crucial to realizing all other rights. Minorities can promote their interests and values through participating in decision-making on education, health and economic policies. ‘Public life’ includes holding office, taking part in elections, being elected, being given judicial responsibilities, as well as freely participating in civil society and charity organizations, for example. 3. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in decisions on the national and, where appropriate, regional level concerning the minority to which they belong or the regions in which they live, in a manner not incompatible with national legislation. Participation should be effective – that is, minorities should be heard and their opinions taken into account. Their participation can only be effective if minority representatives truly represent their communities; moreover, any information needed to make a meaningful decision should be provided in relevant ways (including in the communities’ own languages). States may develop their own systems to ensure such meaningful participation; these may include minority advisory or consultative