Association internationale POUR LA DEFENSE DE LA LIBERTE RELIGIEUSE International Association FOR THE DEFENSE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FOUNDER Dr JEAN NUSSBAUM UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE IN GENEVA, NEW YORK & VIENNA In Participatory Status with the COUNCIL OF EUROPE in Strasbourg, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT in Strasbourg & Brussels, and with 0.S.C.E First President Honorary Committee Mrs Eleanor ROOSEVELT (1946-1962) Former Presidents: Dr Albert SCHWEITZER, Paul Henry SPAAK, Rene CASSIN, Edgar FAURE, Leopold Sklar SENGHOR PRESIDENT Mrs MARY ROBINSON Schosshaldenstrasse 17, CH-3006 Berne, SWITZERLAND www,aidirorg Phone +41 (0)31 359 15 31 Fax +41 (0)31 359 15 66 E-mail: livia.olteanuigaidinorg SECRETARY GENERAL: LIVID OLTEANU UNITED NATIONS —GENERAL ASSEMBLY HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Forum on Minority Issues Sixth session 26-27.November 2013 Protection of the existence of religious minorities and prevention of violence against them STATEMENT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE POUR LA DEFENSE DE LA LIBERTE RELIGIEUSE Bern, Switzerland Secretary General: Mr. Liviu Olteanu Mt% President of the United Nations Hunian Rights Council Ms. High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. President of the Forum on Minority Issues Ms. Independent Expert Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, How could we comprehend our present topic: "Protection of the existence of religious minorities and prevention of violence against them"? I would like to start and finish my Statement with two magnificent quotes from the SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, Mr. BAN ICI-MOON: "The best form of protection is prevention. Prevention saves lives as well as resources. Prevention is not a A Non-gov ernmental organization accredited to the United Nations ECOSOC Committee In New York and Genev a, and in participatory status with the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.