United Nations Forum on Minority Issues
Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 6/15 of 28 September 2007 renewed by resolution 19/23 of 23 March 2012, a forum on minority issues has been established to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as well as thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the independent expert on minority issues. The Forum shall identify and analyze best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives for the further implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
The Forum meets annually for two working days allocated to thematic discussions. The independent expert on minority issues shall guide the work of the Forum, prepare its annual meetings and report on the thematic recommendations of the Forum to the Human Rights Council.
The same resolution has requested the President of the Human Rights Council to appoint for each session, on the basis of regional rotation, and in consultation with regional groups, a chairperson of the Forum among experts on minority issues.
This year, the Sixth Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues will address the problems faced by religious minorities.
Theme: "Beyond freedom of religion or belief: Guaranteeing the rights of religious minorities".
Dates: 26 and 27 November 2013
Venue: Room XX of the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
