Statement by H. E. Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly 15th session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the General Assembly held a high-level meeting to encourage member states to recommit to the protection of minorities. During this meeting, we assessed the progress and setbacks on the implementation of the Declaration, identified constraints and achievements, and set priorities for the future. Despite differences, there was broad consensus around one uniting idea: Minority issues are usually at the heart of conflicts because the underlying causes of clashes almost always have to do with the violation of their rights. Ladies and Gentlemen, The respect and implementation of minority rights require a genuine, honest conversation, and involvement of government institutions, all relevant stakeholders including the United Nations. We should not shy away from what we know to be facts: We know that women who belong to minorities are subject to intersecting forms of discrimination, multiplying their vulnerability to violence. We know that the social media platforms are ideal breeding ground for hate speech targeting minorities and exacerbating their vulnerability, including to suffer hate crime. We know that 75% of the world’s stateless belong to minorities. We know that minorities are underrepresented in positions of power and in decisionmaking. But during the September High-Level Meeting, we also showcased some success stories, some best practices. Quotas in national parliaments.

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