A/71/254 non-discrimination. 9 Indeed, the principles of non-discrimination and equality are the fundamental pillars of human rights and minority protection. Similarly, the right to liberty and security of person, 10 prohibition of torture and other ill treatment, 11 and the right to life 12 are relevant for the treatment of minorities in the context of humanitarian crises. 33. Given that minorities are often at risk of statelessness, the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness are also relevant. Article 9 of the 1961 Convention stipulates that “A Contracting State may not deprive any person or group of persons of their nationality on racial, ethnic, religious or political grounds”. 2. International Humanitarian Law 34. Underlying International Humanitarian Law are the principles of humanity, impartiality, 13 neutrality, 14 and independence, 15 and the key norm of “Do no harm”. In the context of minority rights, this is inherently interlinked with the principle of non-discrimination, and therefore all humanitarian action should therefore strive to treat minorities equally, without adverse distinction. 35. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the primary mechanism for inter-agency coordination of humanitarian assistance, has developed Operational Guidelines on protection of persons in situations of na tural disaster. 16 This document also contains important references to minorities and an annex on the protection of specific groups, cross-referencing the relevant guidelines. 36. The International Federation of the Red Cross has also developed a Strategic Framework on Gender and Diversity for 2013-2020 which includes some important __________________ 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 16-13193 This includes: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and others. See Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, “Minority rights: international standards and guidance for implementation”, HR/PUB/10/3 (New York and Geneva, 2010), chap. 1.A. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, articles 3 and 9; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 9; and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, article 5 (a) and (b). Ibid., article 5; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 7; Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, article 5 (b). Ibid., article 3; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 6; and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, article 5 (b). Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Activities, guiding principles, Humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. Ibid., Humanitarian action must be carried out on the basis of need alone, giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress, making no distinction on the basis of nationality, race, gender, religious belief, class or political opinions. Ibid., Humanitarian action must be autonomous from the political, economic, military or other objectives that any actor may pursue with regard to areas where humanitarian action is implemented. The Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, “Inter-Agency Standing Committee operational guidelines on the protection of persons in situations of natural disasters” (Washington, D.C., 2011), available from www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/reports/ 2011/1/06-operational-guidelines-nd/0106_operational_guidelines_nd.pdf. 11/25