UN Human Rights Council Forum on Minority Issues Fifth Session Geneva, 27-28 November 2012 Mr. Daisa Dao, President, The Global “People of Champa Descent” Organization Benntsvag 7A, Lgh 1001, Se-21367 Malmo, Sweden Tel./Fax: +46 40 21 82 02 info@peoplechmpadescent.com www.peoplechmpadescent.com Dear Chairwoman, Dear participants of the Fifth Session Thank you for the opportunity to speak. We advocate on behalf of individuals of Champa descent. Persons of Champa descent are one of the ancient peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia, with the population of about 1 million people. Until today, we have preserved our language and unique culture. Recognition and approval of the General Assembly of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to Minorities, 20 years after its adoption in 1992, is a historic event and achievement of persons belonging to minorities in the fight for their rights at the international level. The Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to Minorities is a comprehensive, balanced document of international law designed to protect and ensure the development of persons belonging to minorities on the basis of human rights. We express our gratitude to Vietnam and Cambodia, for their demonstration of political will and recognition of the Declaration of the Rights of minorities. We welcome the climate of intercultural harmony, respect and understanding ruling today in both Cambodia and Vietnam.