Summary

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues provides reflections and recommendations on the institutional designs of States with a view to improving the promotion of minorities’ effective participation, which will lead to diverse and inclusive societies. The institutional designs of States are also emphasized as a crucial element in determining the fate of minorities, since it is at the national level that the minorities’ rights can be fully implemented, including their right to participate effectively in decision-making processes, in line with article 2, paragraph 3, of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities of 1992 (General Assembly resolution 47/135, annex). The present report serves to examine how States’ institutional designs have contributed to the achievement of minorities’ rights today and to propose recommendations for improving these designs. The Special Rapporteur also summarizes his country visits, communications and other mandate activities in the period 2023–2024, in particular since his appointment on 1 November 2023.