27 (b) share distinct cultural characteristics; (c) are less than half of the total population of that state. An ethnic minority includes persons linked by descent, caste or origin, seafaring, nomadic or semi-nomadic groups, and can include persons who share personal characteristics with other members of a community, such as a common language or culture who are not in a majority in a State. The existence of an ethnic minority in a State is not dependent on official status or legal recognition. 3. The expression “religious or belief minority” refers to a group of persons in a state who: (a) are present on the territory of that state; (b) share distinct religious or belief characteristics; (c) are less than half of the total population of that state. A religious or belief minority includes persons who belong to non-hierarchical or nonformalized as well as non-religious or non-theistic beliefs, sects, offshoots of a mainstream religion or new religions or beliefs who are not in a majority in a state. The existence of a religious or belief minority in a State is not dependent on official status or legal recognition. 4. The expression “linguistic minority” refers to a group of persons in a state who: (a) are present on the territory of that state; (b) display shared linguistic characteristics; (c) are less than half of the total population of that state. A linguistic minority includes persons who share any natural language, including sign languages, who are not a majority in a state, including languages categorized domestically as dialects, patois or creoles, or who share a common writing system but are mutually unintelligible. The existence of a linguistic minority in a State is not dependent on official status or legal recognition. Part II Article 2 1. Everyone has the right to take part in cultural life. This includes the right of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious or belief, and linguistic minorities (hereinafter ‘minorities’), individually or collectively, to develop and enjoy their own culture and cultural life. 2. The right of minorities to develop and enjoy their own culture and cultural life may include: (a) traditions, customs, religious or belief, forms of education, languages, communication media (press, radio, television, Internet) and other manifestations of their cultural identity and membership. (b) engaging in economic and social activities which are part of their culture;