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UN to hold forum on minorities in humanitarian crises in Geneva

Xinhua, November 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Minorities and other stakeholders from around the world will gather in Geneva on November 24 and 25 at the ninth United Nations Forum on Minority Issues.

A statement released by the UN office at Geneva Monday said that the Forum will bring together more than 500 international participants, who will discuss how humanitarian crises impact on minorities and will make specific recommendations to protect and promote their rights at all stages of any humanitarian crisis.

The forum will be organized and guided by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsak-Ndiaye, and chaired by minority rights expert Mario Yutzis.

"We see all around the world that minorities are disproportionately affected in humanitarian crises, whether it is a situation resulting from conflicts, natural or man-made disasters or pandemics," said Izsak-Ndiaye, who has submitted a report to the United Nations General Assembly on the subject.

"This is often due to their distinct identity, geographical location, poverty, discrimination or other unique circumstances," she noted, "but whatever the reason for the particular vulnerability, governments and humanitarian actors have an obligation to ensure that strategies and assistance are targeted to meet the specific needs of minorities."

The Forum's recommendations on minorities in situations of humanitarian crises will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2017. Enditem