Question

Minorities’ Struggles for Political and Social Equality?

Answer 1

Minority rights, inclusion, and equality play a significant role in promoting peace and political and social stability. This was recognised at the highest level of the UN and stated in the outcome document, accepted by the General Assembly, of the 2005 World Summit of Heads of State and Government. Consequently, the introduction of legislation and policies relating to inclusion and equality, and successful measures for social cohesion, are critical priorities that the Independent Expert pursues.

Minorities frequently face discrimination and exclusion, and struggle to gain access to their human rights, even under conditions of full and unquestioned nationality. Denying or stripping them of citizenship can be an efficient way to aggravate their insecurity, which can even result in mass expulsion. Once denied or deprived of citizenship, minorities are inevitably denied the protection of their fundamental rights and freedoms, including minority rights as set out in the Declaration of the Rights of Persons of National or Ethnic , Religious and Linguistic Minorities of the United Nations.

Most minorities are living in a precarious legal situation because while they may be entitled to citizenship in the State in which they live under the law, they are frequently refused or stripped of that right and may therefore reside in a stateless society. Although several circumstances cause statelessness, including prolonged refugee situations and state succession, today the majority of stateless persons are members of minority groups