A/HRC/22/49 for example, face barriers in gaining access to labour markets on the basis of their language skills or in establishing business enterprises. In terms of social life, minorities may be restricted in their interactions outside their own communities and consequently in their possibility to engage fully in the social and cultural life of the nation. 24. Minority language rights and language use have frequently been a source of tensions, both between and within States. Proponents of linguistic rights have sometimes been associated with secessionist movements or have been seen as a threat to the integrity or unity of a State. It has been pointed out that it is often only when minorities assert their rights to identity and language that discrimination or persecution starts.14 Fulfilling the rights of minorities, including their language rights, is an essential means to prevent tensions from emerging and is a key element of good governance and conflict prevention. If not appropriately addressed at an early stage, such tensions have led to protracted conflicts and deepening of divisions between linguistic groups. Where conflicts have ceased or peacebuilding initiatives are under way, it is essential that all groups in society play a full role in discussions, negotiations and decision-making processes. 25. The minority rights principles of non-discrimination, equality, participation and consultation must be respected, including with respect to language, to ensure that the issues and views of minorities are taken into account and their needs are adequately addressed. Linguistic minorities must be consulted and have a full and meaningful role in decisions affecting them, including relating to the shaping of language policy and practice, nationally and in the regions in which they live, in such key areas as education and official and administrative communications. Their views, perspectives and concerns should be fully taken into account to ensure that language issues do not become sources of grievances or conflict. 26. Centralized language policies may give primacy to the dominant national language, while decentralized policies can be more effective in responding to minority and regional language usage patterns and local conditions. Minority rights must also be considered in regional or local contexts. In some regions, such as autonomous minority regions, a particular linguistic minority may constitute the majority population and may have in place extensive provisions for the use of its language as the dominant language of the region in administration, education and service provision. In such cases it is important to ensure the language rights of those belonging to other communities who may find themselves de facto linguistic minorities in certain localities despite constituting a majority nationally. 27. It is essential to have accurate information and data that is disaggregated along language lines, in order to assess the number of minority language speakers, and to understand language issues and the need for measures to address the needs of linguistic minorities. Accurate data reveals issues that may otherwise remain hidden or neglected and allows language issues to be addressed in the localities where they are most present. Such data can reveal correlations between minorities and socioeconomic challenges such as low incomes, poor education outcomes and problems facing minority women that may be connected to language issues and require targeted responses. Such data is rarely collected in census or social surveys, and the national picture of minority language issues and needs is incomplete. Consequently there is no strong statistical foundation for policy or programme formulation. 28. Issues relating to resources often feature in State considerations of support for minority languages and implementation of linguistic rights. Some States, facing limited 14 8 Commentary of the Working Group on Minorities to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/2), para. 53.