Africa-Middle East Regional Forum: Working toward conflict prevention through the protection of minority rights

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GENEVA (8 June 2021) – The Africa-Middle East Regional Forum on conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of minorities, convened by the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues Fernand de Varennes, will take place on 15 and 16 June.

Hosted by the Government of The Gambia, the Regional Forum will bring together over 200 minority participants and State representatives, as well as UN, regional organisations representatives and minority and civil society groups. Registration for the event is open until 11pm CEST, 9 June.

The Africa-Middle East Regional Forum is the second of four regional fora convened in 2021 on maintaining peace through justice and human rights for minorities, and will consider how addressing the grievances which are often at the root of most of the world's conflicts today is a significant approach to the prevention of violent conflicts. Discussions will inform the work and recommendations of the 14th session of the global UN Forum on Minority Issues taking place in Geneva in December 2021 also on the theme of "Conflict Prevention and the Protection of the Human Rights of Minorities".

The Africa-Middle East Regional Forum will take place on-line this year because of the pandemic and is open to the media. The event will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4nFioBnLPu3b2ZufJGtD1w

Learn more about the speakers and the schedule of the Africa-Middle East Regional Forum on Minority Issues.

ENDS

BACKGROUND:

Pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 6/15 of 28 September 2007 renewed by resolution 19/23 of 23 March 2012, a forum on minority issues has been established to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as well as thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. The Forum shall identify and analyze best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives for the further implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.

The Forum meets annually for two working days allocated to thematic discussions. The Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Mr Fernand de Varennes, is tasked to guide the work of the Forum, prepare its annual meetings and report on the thematic recommendations of the Forum to the Human Rights Council.

For inquiries and media requests , please contact: Marina Narvaez (+41-22 917 9286 / mnarvaez@ohchr.org) or Hee-Kyong Yoo (+41- 22 917 9723/ hyoo@ohchr.org)

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