It is dramatic that minorities in the 21st century are not given their rightful place in various societies and that they are at the margins of history; even their cultural and linguistic existence is under threat at the hands of state institutions. At this august Forum I would like to high-light the plight and miserable life of certain ethnic and religious minorities in the African Grand-Lacs region, in Kenya, in Ouganda and also concerning the Roma in Europe. In various parts of Pakistan Sindhis, Balochis and the people of Gilgit and Baltistan have been discriminated against on the basis of their language and culture. Representation of Pakistan's largest province of Baluchistan is zero at country's decision and policy-making bodies. Same is the case with the people of Pakistani-Administered Kashmir where local people have been discriminated on the basis of their ethnicity and are kept hostage of discriminatory policies of certain state institutions in Pakistan. . Madame, We are living in the era of globalization as well as social and political transformation today. I would encourage the world community to implement the new millennium development goals (MDGs) by all means so that the people in developing countries could reap and enjoy fundamental social, economic, cultural, educational and human rights including freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of assembly and the right to equal opportunities of development and jobs in state institutions on the basis of merit and social justice. It is the responsibility of political parties and civil society organizations to accommodate ethnic and religious minorities so that fundamental rights can be protected effectively. They should be constitutionally-protected. Discriminatory clauses must be abolished from the state constitutions and every citizen should be given equal opportunity to seek justice against discrimination in any fashion. We look forward to a new strategic policy of States based on diversity, tolerance, pluralism and equal opportunity. Thank you 2