General Debate Item 5: 2nd Forum on Minority Issues

Intervention by Maggie Murphy

Interfaith International and partners welcomed the dynamic spirit in which the debates on political participation were held at the Second Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues.

We take this opportunity to make several comments related to the draft recommendations in the hope that the document will bring about tangible, positive change.

Above all, we believe that states should avoid tokenism and symbolic gestures when involving minorities in political process. Ensuring adequate representation is mutually beneficial for the State and its citizens and diminishes the likelihood of resentment, anger and violent uprise.

We wholeheartedly support the recommendations in paragraphs 14 and 15 which call for the removal of legislation that prohibits the use of minority languages during elections. Indeed the active and genuine promotion of minority languages during the electoral process by certain governments would signal true commitment  to the principles of democracy and equality.

In relation to paragraph 13 we wholeheartedly agree that governments should not reshape electoral boundaries to intentionally fractionalize minority voice. In addition, the location of ballot boxes should be planned carefully. Geography should not be a marker of privilege.

The Forum generated much discussion about the significance of censuses which needs to be adequately reflected in the recommendations.  Where government censuses have underestimated minority population size – intentionally or otherwise –resentment and frustration have intensified.

It is true that socio-economic conditions are obstacles to effective participation. However, other obstacles have been intentionally designed to inhibit full participation and these should be immediately challenged and confronted.

First, Constitutions that inhibit or ban minority candidates from certain political positions make a mockery of the concept of equality.

Second, highly centralized governments hinder participatory involvement of minorities via local institutions. There will be no buy-in from minority groups if there is no opportunity for local participation.

Third, minority groups that are not recognized by their own states are invisible and marginalized from policy planning. Acknowledging the multi ethnic, multilingual, multi religious nature of one’s country is a first step towards democracy.

We continue to strongly support the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and we thank you for this opportunity to articulate these observations.