Lastly, participation of IDP minorities will provide a firm ground to
ensure that any of these programmes are relevant, effective, supported
and owned by the IDP minorities themselves. The marginalisation of
minorities is often a problem that exacerbates their displacement
situation and lends to their protracted displacement in greater
proportion compared to other non-minority IDPs.
The UNGPID provides that IDP participation is a consistent
requirement. This includes in the context of durable solutions. Genuine
and free political participation, for example, need to be enhanced
despite the fact that they are displaced. Again, in my own experience,
special voting programmes may need to be set up in order to provide
the displaced minorities an opportunity to lend their voice to democratic
processes.
Another example is the participation of IDP minorities in the discussion
and design of responses to displacement, so that they can return,
locally integrate or settle elsewhere. In fact, such participation actually
make it easier for the State organisms and humanitarian and
development agencies to provide the necessary support as well as
funding. I have come across situations where the construction of
houses, for example, actually do not conform with the demands of the
minorities cultural practices, including materials. In the end, the
resolution of this particular problem was able to enable the return of the
displaced minorities in a safe and dignified manner.
In conclusion, the attainment of durable solutions is challenging for
IDPs in general; it is even more challenging for displaced minorities
who have suffered from discrimination, including in relation to their valid
aspirations for the guarantee and fulfilment of their rights as minorities.
A concerted effort to achieve durable solutions for displaced minorities,
based on their minority rights, is important not only for the minorities
themselves. They have far reaching consequences in resolving
humanitarian crises and in achieving peace and justice for all peoples.
Thank you.