UN EXPERT CALLS ON AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO PROTECT HUNDREDS OF MINORITY GROUPS

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0400
Subject: UN EXPERT CALLS ON AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO PROTECT HUNDREDS OF
MINORITY GROUPS
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

UN EXPERT CALLS ON AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO PROTECT HUNDREDS OF MINORITY GROUPS
New York, Apr 11 2013 12:00PM
Hundreds of minority groups in Africa are in dire need of strengthened
protections, a United Nations independent expert said today, calling
on governments to act urgently to safeguard these vulnerable
populations.

"The semantic debate on who are the minorities and who are the
indigenous peoples in Africa must not prevent stakeholders from
addressing the extremely vulnerable situation of hundreds of minority
communities across the African region," the UN Independent Expert on
minority issues, Rita Izsák,
<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13220&LangID=E">said
during the 53rd session of the African Commission on Human and
Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, The Gambia.

Ms. Izsák stressed the importance of the African Commission dedicating
specific attention to minority issues and ensuring that their concerns
are addressed in a more systematic manner. She added that minority
issues include not just ethnic groups but also linguistic and
religious minorities.

"Fulfilling the rights of minorities is an essential means to prevent
tensions from emerging and is a key element of good governance," Ms.
Izsák said, recalling that in several African countries hundreds of
diverse groups live together. "The ethnic, cultural, linguistic and
religious identity must be recognized as enriching the society and its
historical heritage and be protected and promoted to the full extent
possible."

During the session, Ms. Izsák held a consultation meeting with the
ACHPR Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities, and
welcomed the Group's openness to engage in further dialogue and
cooperation concerning minority issues.

She also addressed the Non-Governmental Organizations Forum and
advised African civil society representatives about the opportunities
for cooperation with her mandate. In addition, she informed
participants about the work of the UN Forum on Minority Issues, which
she is charged with organizing and guiding.

This is the first time that Ms. Izsák attends an ACHPR session, and
she described the opportunity as a way to collaborate more closely
with the African human rights system.

"I am confident that dialogue will be continued in order to achieve
strengthened attention and efforts to protecting and promoting the
rights of minorities across Africa," she said.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights was inaugurated on
2 November 1987 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and according to its
website, it is in charge of protecting and promoting human and
peoples' rights. The Commission consists of 11 members elected by the
African Union assembly from experts nominated by the state parties to
the African Charter.
Apr 11 2013 12:00PM
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