Thank you Madam Chairperson,
Thank honourable Independent Expert on Minority Issues. I would like to say a few words in the nature
of concluding remarks, in my capacity as a founding member of the International Federation for the
Protection of the Rights of National, Religious, Linguistic Minorities - a non-governmental organisation
in consultative status with ECOSOC.
In this respect I would like first to state that the creation of the Forum on Minority Issues is one of the
historic achievements of the Human Rights Council. Secondly, I would like to pay tribute to the
Independent Expert on minority Issues, Ms. Gay McDougall. For her tireless efforts and constructive
activities in order to achieve in consultation with governments the implementation of all of the objectives
contained relevant international and regional instruments, including in particular the UNDM.
Thirdly, I would like to congratulate all who contributed and elaborated and presented, including my
friend, Professor Thornberry, of the relevant recommendations which should really constitute a
framework to which the minimum standards for the protection of the rights, including in particular the
right to education, should be based.
Fourthly, I strongly support the statements made by the eminent lawyer and politician, Mr. Wilton
Littlechild yesterday and today. And the concluding remarks which were made by professor
Frangaudaki a few moments ago. Perhaps we will think if they will be useful, Madam Chairperson, to
hear the common discussion and consideration of certain items which might be interesting for both the
minorities and the indigenous peoples.
Fifth, for me the subject of education and its relevance of items should be studies further and carefully
by every government and each organs in order to constitute real guidelines guiding principles, real
guiding principles on which the education programs and policies should be founded.
Finally, Madam Chairperson, I would like to address very respectfully an appeal to everyone here that
this vibrant, free and liberal forum should not be changed in the future into a political forum or arena for
controversial statements and unfounded allegations against certain countries for political purposes
because these interventions constitute [abundance] of human rights instead of promoting the rights of
minorities including the right to education of the world's minorities. Thank you very much for your kind
attention. Thank you.