United Nations and Minority Rights

United Nations, a global representative to States, aims to promote Human Rights and Fundamental freedoms for all and eliminate discrimination based on race, sex, language and religions. It acknowledges that promotion of the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic Minorities, within a democratic framework based on the rule of law are essential for the development of any society, to promote this objective the UN has promulgated various instruments such as:

• Declaration on the Rights of persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities
  On December 18,1992 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities. The declaration instructs states to protect the identity of national, ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic minorities within their respective territories and to encourage promotion of that identity by adopting appropriate legislative and other measures.
• The universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  It stated that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
  By virtue of that all peoples have the right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
• The Declaration on the Elimination of All forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
  It stated that every citizen has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.
• The convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
  It stated that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish.