E/CN.4/2006/74 page 13 issues and those working on minority issues. She will consult closely, and seek to collaborate with, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) regarding its experience in gender discrimination, and welcomes an exchange of expertise with that body. (d) To cooperate closely, while avoiding duplication, with existing relevant United Nations bodies, mandates, mechanisms as well as regional organizations 44. The Declaration on the Rights of Minorities states in article 9 that “the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system shall contribute to the full realization of the rights and principles set forth in the present Declaration, within their relevant fields of competence”. 45. The independent expert welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with these existing bodies, mandates, mechanisms and organizations in the fulfilment of her mandate. While many existing structures will have a great deal to contribute to the independent expert’s work, she realizes that her mandate will play a unique function among these groups and will not duplicate their work. Mainstreaming initiatives throughout the United Nations will be important in this regard and are elaborated on later in this report. 46. As was noted in the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the rights of persons belonging to minorities, submitted to the sixtieth session of the Commission (E/CN.4/2004/75), before the establishment of the independent expert’s mandate: Numerous observers representing Governments, non-governmental organizations or minorities and wider civil society, including independent experts, are of the opinion that some challenges facing minorities have not been appropriately covered by existing mandates, for structural or functional reasons. As minority issues do not constitute the main focus of the existing mandates, inevitably the mandates are unable to reflect the full range of concerns relevant to minorities. 47. The independent expert is concerned by the number of communications regarding violations of human rights that display discrimination, racism or xenophobia against a minority group and its members as a root cause. Often, the minority rights component of such communications is hidden and therefore the wider context of issues arising out of the minority status of the victims is neglected and remains unaddressed in subsequent attempts to achieve solutions for individuals or communities. The independent expert believes that greater attention given to the root causes of grievances may reveal issues of concern relating to minorities. 48. The independent expert aims to collaborate closely with OHCHR and its existing field offices to promote mainstreaming of minority issues, and to develop a greater awareness of minority issues and the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities within these offices. Awareness-raising, training and capacity-building initiatives to this end will be encouraged under the auspices of OHCHR, taking into account ongoing training and staff development priorities. Information on minority issues relevant to field offices and staff will be provided in a systematic manner to assist them in their treatment of minority issues.