• Are there mechanisms to ensure dialogue within and with minority groups at the national, regional or local government levels? • Are there mechanisms for the effective political participation of minorities at the local and State levels? Are parliamentary or other kinds of lobby groups concerned with minorities? • Are the Government and parliament ensuring the effective functioning and funding of national agencies, institutions and/or mechanisms with responsibility for promoting minority political participation? • Has the State adopted special arrangements required to secure the right of minorities to political participation at different stages of the country’s transition from situations of gross human rights violations and armed conflict, particularly with respect to refugees and internally displaced persons? • Are minorities represented in public administration (i.e., as Members of Parliament, in the judicial services and law enforcement, etc.)? If so, is it proportionate to the size of their communities and the interests to be addressed? If not, what should be done to promote their integration in the public service? • Does the participation of members of minorities in public life have an effect on gender equality within the community and in the society at large? What kinds of mechanisms have been or could be promoted to encourage the participation of women belonging to minorities? • What are the possibilities for the United Nations to build the capacity of minority groups to participate in decision-making and to monitor the implementation of public policies? 5. Protection and protection of basic social services for minorities • How does poverty affect minorities in the country? Are persons belonging to minority groups disproportionately affected by poverty? Why? • Do minority groups experience or present special health concerns? Are they affected, for example, by HIV/AIDS or do incidences of povertyrelated diseases or malnutrition affect them differently from the rest of the population? If so, what are the causes? • What can be done to better ensure that social services are equally accessible and appropriate to the specific needs of women and men belonging to minority groups? • What are the possibilities for the United Nations to help the Government to improve social policies supporting the provision of basic social services to minorities? 30