A/HRC/52/53 A. Selected regional and country engagement activities 17. In Ethiopia, from March to September 2022, the OHCHR Regional Office for East Africa supported civil society partners in providing access-to-justice training for over 95 community members (58 men, 37 women), including members of the Manja community, a minority group. Participants also included law enforcement officials and members of the judiciary. This activity resulted in the establishment of a local committee to identify and address discriminatory practices affecting members of the Manja community and other minority groups. The local committee consists of community members, including members of the Manja community, civil society organizations, legal aid service providers and local government officials. 18. In Kyrgyzstan, the OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia continued supporting the Government’s implementation of the joint project on inclusive governance and common civic identity for sustainable peace and development. The Regional Office advocated for the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation, including on education in minority languages and participation by minorities in public life, and supported civil society organizations working on this issue. 19. In North Macedonia, throughout 2022 OHCHR engaged with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the national human rights institution and civil society, with the goal of better implementing and aligning national laws and policies with international human rights and equality standards. OHCHR supported the development of the new National Equality and Non-discrimination Strategy, which is underpinned by the principle of intersectionality and the acknowledgement of all discriminatory grounds recognized under international law. The Government of North Macedonia adopted the strategy in May 2022. 20. In Tajikistan, the OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia supported the drafting and adoption of a law on equality and non-discrimination that was recommended by human rights mechanisms. The law, adopted in July 2022, prohibits direct and indirect discrimination based on race, origin, language and ethnicity, among other grounds.16 OHCHR also supported the drafting of and public discussions on a national strategy for the protection of human rights, which is aimed at promoting the participation of members of national minority groups in the country’s political, economic and cultural life. 21. In Madagascar, OHCHR conducted research to inform a more inclusive approach to programming by United Nations entities. The Office identified the absence of adequate data and analysis on minorities as a challenge, particularly in updating the common country assessment report with a view to developing a new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Madagascar. In 2022, the Office conducted research to gain a deeper understanding of the minority population in the country and presented the initial results to the United Nations network on racial discrimination and protection of minorities in September. The resulting report identifies systemic challenges by particular minorities in accessing their rights, particularly with respect to protection from discrimination, effective participation in social, economic and public life, and access to education, health care, adequate housing and social services. 22. The OHCHR country office in Yemen has played a major role in the establishment of the National Council for Minorities in Yemen. The Council is a network of civil society organizations consisting of groups of different faiths, such as Christians, Baha’is, Jews and Sufis. It includes linguistic minorities, such as the Muwaladeen and the Muhamasheen. The Council was formally established in March 2022 to strengthen the coordination of minority organizations in their human rights advocacy work. OHCHR has been working closely with the Council and coordinating with it on human rights protection activities, including the organization in Yemen of five workshops on minority rights. 16 GE.22-29200 See https://cis-legislation.com/document.fwx?rgn=142287. 5