3rd Meeting, 14th session of the Forum on Minority…

10:00-12:00 (local time in Geneva) Item 4: Focusing on the rights of minorities and effective early prevention of conflicts Forum participants will reflect on how dedicated and specialized mechanisms with appropriate mandates can concentrate on the minority dimension of conflicts by identifying situations where there is systematic denial of the rights of minorities. They will examine the existence of early conflict prevention mechanisms at various levels, including at the international, regional, subregional, national and local levels. Discussions will also touch upon the need to focus on minorities and pool the outputs of the early warning systems of United Nations agencies, funds, programmes and agencies, and of other intergovernmental organizations. Participants will consider what makes such mechanisms a compelling tool for effectively preventing costly and protracted conflicts involving minorities. Participants will pay special attention to the importance of including a gender perspective in early effective conflict prevention, and will rely on the recommendations made by the Forum at its fourth session with regard to guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls (see A/HRC/19/71), who may be particularly vulnerable in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Ms. Aya Manaa, Palestinian human rights defender and activist from Israel Mr. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ghana Ms. Maria Eugenia Carbone, Director of the Latin American Program and Technical Secretariat of the Latin American Network for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention, Auschwitz Institute

● Ms. Aya Manaa, Palestinian human rights defender and activist from Israel ● Mr. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ghana ● Ms. Maria Eugenia Carbone, Director of the Latin American Program and Technical Secretariat of the Latin American Network for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention, Auschwitz Institute

-Interactive Dialogue