The UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues Rita Izsák-Ndiaye [official profile] called [press release] release for action to preserve the progress made in the protection of minority rights. Speaking in her final address before the Human Rights Council [official website], Izsák-Ndiaye stated that the world needs “unequivocal political will” as well as “strengthened legislative and institutional frameworks” in order to maintain unity in diversity. Izsák-Ndiaye specifically drew attention to efforts needed to integrate migrants into the social fabric of a given nation, saying concerted bridge-building efforts were needed. Commenting on her entire six-year tenure, Izsák-Ndiaye said that she was “often struck by the general lack of knowledge and understanding by the public about the daily struggles of disadvantaged minorities which was often compounded by denial or negligence on the part of officials.”

The human rights of minority groups have become an issue of increased concern as nationalist political parties have gained prominence across the western world and hate crimes have risen. In November the FBI said [JURIST report] that hate crimes, especially against Muslims, were on the rise in the US. In the UK, prosecutors have been encouraged [JURIST report] to use tougher sentences against hate crimes [BBC report] in response to the nation’s increasingly hostile environment since the EU referendum. A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern [JURIST report] in November about possible crimes against humanity committed against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority.