A/HRC/25/30 against racial violence; (f) promotion of religious tolerance and freedom; and (g) ensuring the participation of minorities in political life. 82. Additional recommendations included (a) eliminating discrimination against children of ethnic minorities; (b) ensuring gender equality, including for women belonging to minorities; (c) equal access to employment, housing and basic social services, for persons belonging to minority groups; (d) promoting interreligious dialogue; (e) appointing minorities to official bodies; (f) protecting the culture and identity of minorities; (g) ensuring opportunities for minorities to use their mother tongue, and the protection of linguistic rights; (h) bringing an end to abuses committed by security forces, and enforced disappearances of members of minorities; (i) ensuring that minorities can fully enjoy and practise their social and cultural rights; and (j) protecting minority children from segregation in education. Particular concerns were raised regarding the situation of Roma and Muslim women. States were also encouraged to take progressive steps by putting forward legislation and providing effective training for law enforcement units to ensure that their practices would not violate minorities’ rights. VII. Conclusions 83. Defusing tension, preventing violence and conflicts, promoting political and social stability and achieving sustainable human development require the inclusion and participation of all and respect for human rights, including minority rights. Unfortunately, too often, and in too many countries, the rights of national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities are violated and minorities are excluded from participation in decision-making processes. Additional efforts based on respect for international human rights standards are needed, including knowledge-sharing that is aimed at highlighting and replicating successful practice. 84. The twentieth anniversary of the Declaration provided OHCHR with an important opportunity not only to organize various activities to commemorate the Declaration but also to examine how gaps in the protection of minority rights could be addressed. One of the key messages to the United Nations emanating from the anniversary year was that the efforts to promote and protect minority rights must engage the entire United Nations system. The United Nations network on racial discrimination and protection of minorities was established to fill this gap. OHCHR and other United Nations entities play a complementary role in promoting national and local efforts, by providing support and advice to governments and minority rights advocates, including through the implementation of advocacy tools such as the “Guidance note of the Secretary-General on racial discrimination and protection of minorities”. 17