A/67/293 20. The Independent Expert highlights the need for increased attention to the rights and security of religious minorities and interfaith dialogue, particularly in countries experiencing tensions and violent attacks against religious minorities. Anti-religious extremism and hate speech encourage discrimination and violence and increase the urgency for human rights mechanisms that address the issues of religious minorities. The Human Rights Council universal periodic review has produced nearly 400 recommendations concerning religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities. Establishing institutional mechanisms to promote interfaith dialogue helps build bridges between faith groups that may have become increasingly polarized and distrustful. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has stated that “it is becoming imperative for Governments to provide due political, social, economic and cultural space to minorities in their societies, including access to decision-making levels”. 5 21. The value of permanent institutionalized participatory and intercultural dialogue mechanisms is emphasized by the Independent Expert. Such mechanisms not only benefit minority communities, but are also essential for eliminating exclusionary practices and changing discriminatory perceptions in respect of minorities, which may exist in wider society and may be institutionalized. Addressing “institutional racism” remains a challenge in many States and requires activities to promote participation and dialogue focused not only on minorities, but on all sectors of society. Coordinated institutional approaches should engage minority institutions and associations, majority communities, and civil society, as key stakeholders and project partners. Institutional measures serve to mainstream minority issues and promote diversity and equality across all areas of public life and institutions. 22. The Forum on Minority Issues at its second session focused on effective political participation. 6 It recognized that it is frequently necessary to adopt positive institutional measures designed to enhance minority participation in decisionmaking bodies. It recommended parliamentary arrangements, proportional representation and other appropriate electoral systems-related measures that can increase opportunities for minorities to participate. Reserved or shared seats have proved useful in ensuring minority representation in elected bodies. Where minorities are geographically concentrated, forms of devolved power or territorial or political autonomy can facilitate minority participation in regional or local institutions. Political parties are key actors and should adopt measures aimed at engaging minority communities, addressing minority issues and ensuring minority representation. The Forum recommended a specific mechanism or institutional procedure to survey and monitor progress on minority participation. 23. In 2011, the Forum on Minority Issues highlighted the need for dedicated attention to guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls, 7 who face unique challenges and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination in such areas as access to education and may be vulnerable to violations, including sexual violence __________________ 5 6 7 12-45950 Statement made by Pakistan on behalf of OIC at a panel discussion at the Human Rights Council, held on 13 March 2012, to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration. See http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/minority/documentation_2ndsession.htm. See the recommendations of the Forum on Minority Issues: guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls, at its fourth session. Available from http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/ hrcouncil/minority/session4.htm. 9