International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions 5. FORUM ON MINORITY ISSUES The HRC has also established a Forum on Minority Issues “to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, which shall provide thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the independent expert on minority issues. The Forum shall identify and analyse 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.”176 The Forum on Minority Issues meets annually for two days, usually in November or December.177 Like the Advisory Committee and the Social Forum, participation in the Forum on Minority Issues includes all HRC member States and observers, including “A status” NHRIs. Again, the chairperson of the Forum on Minority Issues is appointed by the HRC President from among persons nominated by the UN regional groups, taking into account annual rotation of the position among the groups.178 The Forum has held four annual sessions, each considering a particular theme determined by the HRC: • minorities and the right to education (2008) • minorities and effective political participation (2009) • minorities and effective participation in economic life (2010) • guaranteeing the rights of minority women (2011). 6. WORKING GROUP OF EXPERTS ON PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Other Intolerance requested “the Commission on Human Rights to consider establishing a working group or other mechanism of the United Nations to study the problems of racial discrimination faced by people of African descent living in the African Diaspora and make proposals for the elimination of racial discrimination against people of African descent”.179 In response, the Commission established the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent in 2002180 and the Human Rights Council renewed the Working Group in 2008.181 The Working Group is to: • study the problems of racial discrimination faced by people of African descent living in the diaspora • propose measures to ensure full and effective access to the justice system by people of African descent • submit recommendations on effective measures to eliminate racial profiling of people of African descent • address all the issues concerning the well-being of Africans and people of African descent • elaborate proposals for the elimination of racial discrimination against people of African descent.182 176 HRC Resolution 6/15; para. 1. 177 HRC Resolution 6/15; para. 3. 178 HRC Resolution 6/15; para. 2. 179 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; para. 7. 180 Commission on Human Rights Resolution 2002/68. 181 HRC Resolution 9/14. 182 HRC Resolution 9/14; para. 8. 58 | Chapter 8: Other permanent mechanisms of the Human Rights Council