Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
30th Anniversary — Adoption of the UN Declaration on Minority Rights
Date
30 March 2022 - 18 December 2022
Minorities live and work in every country throughout the world. While all minorities bring in diversity and benefit the countries where they live, the compounded effects on minorities of the Covid-19 pandemic added to already existing sustained, structural discrimination have led to deepened exclusion, disenfranchisement, exploitation, and victimisation.
On 18 December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities to protect and promote minority rights. Even after 30 years, it continues to be the most important UN instrument devoted to minority rights because it provides guidance and key standards ranging from non-discrimination to effective participation of minorities in decision-making in all areas of everyday life.
All in 4 Minority Rights
This year-long 30th anniversary commemoration of the Declaration will focus on the theme “All in 4 Minority Rights” by promoting the belief that the rights of any person belonging to national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability and progress of States; important ingredients to maintain peace and stability of society.
Voices of minorities are vital to the overall democratic process, and this is why protection of their rights deserves our attention now more than ever. Let us work together to make the Declaration’s principles a reality for minorities everywhere.
#Allin4MinorityRights
Visit this page regularly for the latest updates on stories, videos, links to activities and statements.
Stories
New publication provides comprehensive anti-discrimination guidance
UN Human Rights and the Equal Rights Trust have joined forces to launch Protecting Minority Rights: A Practical Guide to Developing Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Legislation – the first definitive and comprehensive guide of its kind.
International Art Contest celebrates minority artists work on statelessness
The International Art Contest for Minority Artists Working on Statelessness Themes showcase the talented work of minority artists focusing on statelessness to raise awareness on the human rights of stateless individuals and groups belonging to minorities.
After 30 years, minorities still need to be seen and heard
To mark the 30th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Minority Rights, minority rights experts gathered for a virtual panel on “Strengthening protection of minority rights under the Declaration” to explore how far minority rights protection has come and where we go from here.
30th Anniversary marks landmark moment for minority rights
In the 30 years since the UN adopted the UN Declaration on Minority Rights, the Declaration remains the most instrumental tool in protecting minority rights.
International art contest to highlight minority artists work on statelessness
An international art contest organized by UN Human Rights, UN Refugee Agency and the NGO Freemuse, will provide a global platform for minority artists to highlight their work on statelessness.
Activities
- On 16 December 2021, A “Faith for Rights” Approach to Promoting Sustainable Peace, Webinar with US Institute of Peace and former OHCHR Minority Fellow and a video translating article 2 of the 1992 Declaration into music.
- On 19 January 2022, UN Network Webinar: Equal access to justice for all - combatting racial discrimination and enhancing protection of minorities in criminal justice systems
- On 27 January 2022, the 2022 Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs focused on mobilizing moral influence and governance to end the systemic injustices of racism, the legacy of colonialism.
- 27 January 2022, International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
- 21 February 2022, International Mother Language Day
- 21 March 2022, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- 8 April 2022, International Roma Day
- 25 April 2022 (marked on GA on 29 March), International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- May 2022, Expert Discussion on normative standards protecting minorities – ICCPR Article 27 and the 1992 Declaration on Minorities
- 2-3 May 2022, Europe & Central Asia Regional Forum on 30th Anniversary Opening ceremony and celebration at Diplomatic Academy, Vienna
- 21 May 2022, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
- May 30-June 2022, World Justice Forum Events
- May-June 2022, Intersectionality Stakeholder Consultations (UN Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities)
- 18 June 2022, International Day for Countering Hate Speech (first marked in 2022)
- 14-15 June 2022, Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Minorities: 30th anniversary theme
- 4-15 July 2022, Global Minority Rights Summer School marking the 30th anniversary of the UNDM: Achievements and Ways Forward
- 2 August 2022, Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day
- 31st August 2022, International day for People of African Descent
- 15 September 2022 TBC, Event: Memorializing Roma History
- 19 September 2022 TBC, Side Event: Human Rights Council
- September 2022, Side Event: Human Rights Council (Intersectionality Pillar: UN Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities)
- September/October 2022, High-Level Event/Panel Discussion
- 21 September 2022, High-level meeting of the 77th session of the General Assembly to mark the commemoration of the 30th anniversary - Trusteeship Council Chamber, UN Headquarters, NY
- October 11-12, 2022, Americas Regional Forum on Minorities and 30th anniversary,
- 4 November 2022, Celebration of the #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness by 2024
- 4 November 2022, Launch of Awards/Announcement of Winners: Competition for Minority Artists on Statelessness
- 1-2 December 2022, 15th session of the UN Forum on minority issues
- December 2022 date TBC, First meeting of the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent
- 7 December 2022, Event and Launch of Baseline Document on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in Peace, Security and Prevention
- 18 December 2022, Day of the 30th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Minorities