34. Minorities At The United Nations

Abstract

During early years, the majority of United Nations (UN) members were hesitant to recognise and address minority rights. There are no references to minority rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Sub-Commissions Working Group on Minorities was mandated to review the promotion and practical realisation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and to examine solutions to problems involving minorities, including the promotion of mutual understanding between and among minorities and governments. It is essential that the Working Group be composed of independent experts with proven expertise in minority issues, be it through scholarly publications and/or direct work for or with minority groups and institutions. In addition, it should be expected that particularly relevant rapporteurs or independent experts appointed by the Council would participate regularly in the Working Group. Keywords: ethnic minorities; independent expert; linguistic minorities; minority rights; religious minorities; sub-commissions working group; United Nations (UN)