promotion of minority rights and peace and security.6 Furthermore, they have recognized that discrimination and lack of respect for minority rights threatens the security of individuals and may give rise to conflict and violence.7 The UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992) emphasizes that the promotion, protection and realization of minority rights, including the right to participate in social and economic life, contributes to political and social stability and to strengthening friendship and co-operation among peoples and States.8 The Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) obligates State parties to create conditions necessary for the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life, and in public affairs, and to take adequate measures to promote full and effective equality between persons belonging to a national minority and those belonging to the majority in all areas of economic, social, political and cultural life.9 In the experience of the High Commissioners on National Minorities (HCNM), insufficient social and economic participation of persons belonging to national minorities can lead to resentment, undermine their sense of belonging, and cause tensions between communities and States. Social and economic inequality and exclusion affects individuals’ daily lives, their ability to support and care for themselves and their families, and how effectively they can contribute to society. It has a fundamental impact on their ability to enjoy other human rights and to participate on an equal footing in other aspects of life. 6 7 8 9 Inter alia Copenhagen 1990, paragraph 30; OSCE, Lisbon Document, “Lisbon Declaration on a Common and Comprehensive Security Model for Europe for the Twenty-First Century”, paragraph 10 (Lisbon 1996); and OSCE, Istanbul Document, “Charter for European Security: III. Our Common Response” (Istanbul 1999). For example, see: OHCHR, Recommendations of the Forum on Minority Issues at its fourteenth session, “conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of minorities”, Report of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, paragraph 31: “States should ensure that economic development projects are sustainable, inclusive and equitable in respect to minority groups and that economic strategies in place exclude and prevent all forms of exclusion and discrimination.” A/HRC/49/81 (Geneva 2021) (OHCHR, FMI, fourteenth session). OSCE, Ministerial Council, Decision No. 2/09 on further OSCE efforts to address transnational threats and challenges to security and stability (Athens 2009). United Nations, UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, article 2, paragraph 2, and preamble (1992) (UN Declaration on Minorities). See: OHCHR, FMI, 15th session. Also see: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolutions adopted during the High-level meeting of the UNGA on Minorities, 21 September 2022: UNGA Resolution 76/168, “Effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities” and UNGA Resolution 47/135 “Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities”. Council of Europe (CoE), Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM), articles 15 and 4(2) (1994). Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life 17