5 2. States Parties shall take measures to recognise and promote the importance of preserving and respecting national or ethnic, religious or belief, cultural and linguistic diversity as important components of the country’s national identity. 3. States Parties shall take measures that promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the dialogue and interaction between individuals and communities of different national or ethnic, religious or belief, cultural and linguistic origins. 4. States Parties shall take measures and a regulatory framework which promote pluralism and diversity of the media, including new media, both with regard to content and language(s) used, and which promotes universal and non-discriminatory access to and use of means of communication, including in terms of language. Article 9 Every person belonging to a minority, while duly respecting the territorial integrity of the state, shall have the right to have free and unimpeded contacts and engagement with the persons and communities of other countries with whom this minority shares ethnic, religious or belief, cultural or linguistic features or identity. Article 10 States Parties shall take appropriate measures to cooperate with a view to addressing transboundary issues affecting minorities working or living in areas that cross international boundaries. Article 11 The international protection of the rights of minorities is a positive factor for international cooperation and good neighbourliness, peace and stability. Article 12 The respect for the protection and fulfilment of the rights of minorities in many States is intrinsically connected to colonial rule and decolonisation processes. States Parties shall, therefore, take the necessary measures to recognise, reconcile, and redress historical injustices and work closely with relevant States and organisations to that effect. Part II Article 13 1. Every person has the right to equality before the law and of equal protection under the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons belonging to minorities equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as origin, caste, descent, race, colour, nationality, sex, gender, language, culture, marital status, property, disability, age, political or other opinion, religion or belief, birth or economic, social or other status such as belonging to a minority. 2. States Parties shall take appropriate and positive measures to the maximum of available resources to eliminate conditions that cause or allow the perpetuation of discrimination, including multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, against minorities.