2nd Meeting, 15th session of the Forum on Minority…

3 PM – 3: 25 PM 

• Item 3: Rethink: Minority rights defenders and their role in promoting principles of the Declaration

Under this item, the Forum will aim to identify challenges faced by minority rights defenders, in particular women minority rights defenders, best practices and ways to advance defenders' work in promoting the realization of the Declaration and bringing the principles of the Declaration into practice. Discussions will spotlight the contributions of minority activists in achieving human rights for all. Participants will consider the multidimensional challenges faced by human rights defenders belonging to minority groups, some of which have been extensively reflected upon by the Special Rapporteur, with a view to elaborating sustainable solutions. Participants will be invited to draw from the Secretary-General's Call to Action for Human Rights, in which he offered a blueprint for all Governments to address long-standing issues of discrimination, including through partnerships with the grass-roots leadership of affected communities. Participants will share their views about building partnerships in support of and with minority leaders, especially minority women and young people. Participants will take stock of the situation of the civic space for minority groups, which has been highlighted in a number of Human Rights Council resolutions, including Council resolutions 32/31 and 38/12.Discussions will be centred on the means to protect and enlarge civic space for minority groups and to enhance civic participation among minorities. Participants will be encouraged to provide recommendations for addressing, preventing and reporting cases of reprisals against minority representatives who are cooperating with the United Nations to advance the implementation of the Declaration.

• Ms. Zubayra Shamseden, Vice President, World Uyghur Congress
• Ms. Poonam Mohtey, Coprincipal Investigator, Samata Foundation
• Ms. Diane Alai, Representative of the Bahai International Community to the UN

3: 25 PM – 6 PM

• Interactive dialogue