A/HRC/16/29 I. Introduction 1. The present report is being submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 13/12 of 25 March 2010 requesting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a compilation of United Nations manuals, guides, training material and other tools dealing with minority issues. The material identified by the Office shows that the protection of minority rights continues to be recognized as an integral part of the United Nations' work for the promotion and protection of human rights, sustainable human development, peace and security. The primary goal of the United Nations as stated in its Charter is the maintenance of international peace and security. To this end, it is vital that conflicts be prevented and since violations of minority rights are at the root of a significant number of internal conflicts that can spill into regional or international wars, the protection of minority rights must be guaranteed in conformity with principles of justice and international law. 2. Essential treaty norms for the protection of minority rights are found in particular under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Article 27 of the Covenant provides that “in those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion, or to use their own language”. Article 30 of the CRC stipulates that “in those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous origin exist, a child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practise his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.” 3. Furthermore, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (Minorities Declaration), provides essential guidelines on the specific protection of minorities as regards protection, existence, identity, equality in treatment; and the right to effective participation in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life. Guided by the principles of equal treatment and nondiscrimination, the protection of the aforementioned rights depends on creating conditions favourable to this end. Inclusion of minorities can be secured through for example: the promotion of multicultural and intercultural education; the promotion of participation in all aspects of public life; the inclusion of minorities’ concerns in development and povertyreduction processes; access to employment, health care and housing while paying special attention to the situation of women and children. 4. Creating conditions enabling the effective protection of the rights of minorities does not only serve to prevent conflict but also to bring about many other positive outcomes such as facilitating development, peaceful coexistence and democratic governance. It is in light of the positive interests that lie in giving voice to all members of society including persons belonging to minorities that most United Nations organizations, agencies, funds and programmes have developed manuals, guides and training material in their ongoing efforts to provide guidance to States and all other actors engaged in creating arrangements and opening channels to facilitate the participation of minorities in all facets of life in society. 3