1st Meeting, 14th session of the Forum on Minority…

10:00-10:30 (local time in Geneva) Item 1: Opening of the Forum

• 1. Opening song in a minority language, Ms. Nora Gharyéni, Amazigh singer, composer and guitarist
• 2. Statement by the President of the Human Rights Council, H.E. Ms. Nazhat Shameem Khan
• 3. Statement by the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Mr. Fernand de Varennes
• 4. Remarks by the Chair of the Forum, Ms. Victoria Donda

• 5. Remarks by the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms. Alice Nderitu
• 6. Remarks by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, H.E. Ms. Nassima Baghli
• 7. Remarks by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) High Commissioner on National Minorities, H.E. Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov

10:50-12:00 (local time in Geneva) Item 2: Root causes of contemporary conflicts involving minorities

Inspired by and building upon the report presented more than 10 years ago by the first Independent Expert on minority issues, on minority rights and conflict revention (A/HRC/16/45), and more recent developments, such as Pathways to Peace, the Forum will, at the present session, reflect on identifying and addressing the root causes of conflicts

involving minorities. It will consider how early awareness of root causes involving State policies and practices that disadvantage or exclude minorities can also be the most effective means to prevent conflicts. Participants will focus on how to monitor risk factors. Lastly, the Forum will explore the role of States, intergovernmental organizations, civil society and minorities in tackling at an early stage the root causes that may be in breach of human rights obligations, such as the right to equality and the prohibition of discrimination.

• · Mr. John Packer, Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa
• · Ms. Rita Manchanda, Independent Consultant, South Asia Forum for Human Rights
• · Mr. Conchúr Ó Muadaigh, Advocacy manager, Conradh na Gaeilge

Interactive Dialogue