HRC/FMI/2009/2 Page 2 the conduct of public affairs, to vote, to be elected and to have access to public service. 3 4. Article 2 of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities states that: “…2. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life. 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. 4. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to establish and maintain their own associations…”. 5. In its commentary to the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the Working Group on Minorities stated that “the right to participate in all aspects of the life of the larger national society is essential, both in order for persons belonging to minorities to promote their interests and values and to create an integrated but pluralist society based on tolerance and dialogue”. 4 6. While noting that “the number of persons belonging to minorities is by definition too small for them to determine the outcome of decisions in majoritarian democracy”, the Working Group expressed the view that “effective participation requires representation in legislative, administrative and advisory bodies and more generally in public life”. 5 7. It is important to note that the Forum will not consider the rights of peoples to self-determination expressed through claims of secession or dismemberment of a State. Those claims are not encompassed under the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. 6 II. ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION 8. The focus of discussion will be around three core elements: • • • 3 Identification of challenges and problems facing minorities and States; Identification of good practices in relation to minorities and political participation; Consideration of opportunities, initiatives and solutions. Article 25. E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/2, para. 35. 5 Ibid., paras. 42 and 44. 6 Ibid., paras. 15 and 84. 4