The twelfth session of the Forum on Minority Issues was convened on 28 and 29 November 2019 pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 6/15 of 28 September 2007 and resolution 19/23 of 23 March 2012. A Preparatory Meeting for all participants was held on 27 November 2019. 

The Forum was on the theme of "Education, Language and the Human Rights of Minorities". The rights of linguistic minorities are human rights that must be respected, including in relation to the appropriate degree of use of minority languages. Education in minority languages is fundamental for the protection and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity and of the human rights of persons belonging to minorities.

The Forum analysed practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives in addressing education in, and teaching of, minority languages as a human rights issue, in line with the principles and rights enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and other relevant international instruments.

Outcome documents

• The recommendations report of the twelfth session of the Forum (A/HRC/FMI/2019/1)
• Recommendations of the twelfth session (A/HRC/43/62)
• Summary by the Co-Chairs

Further information

• Provisional Agenda (A/HRC/FMI/2019/1)
• Concept Note
• Program of Work
• Invited Speakers
• Program of Side Events
• Factsheet
• Practical Information

Outcome Documents of Regional Forums

• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Africa-Middle East