Lending ear to minority voices

In 2008, Minority Rights Group will mark 40 years of working with minority and indigenous communities around the world. Progress has been made, but much remains to be done.

New challenges are emerging. In 2007, climate change was at the top of the international agenda. With their close relationship to the natural environment, the minorities and indigenous people are more susceptible to affects of global warming.

Many minority communities are already bearing the brunt of extended drought, rising water levels or the planting of biofuel crops to combat global warming.

As policy-makers develop strategies to cope with climate change, it is vitally important that the rights of minorities are taken into account.

The 'war on terrorism' continues to impact adversely on minorities, in countries as diverse as China, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia and Sri Lanka. Ethnic conflict is spreading in Central Africa, the deadly consequences of the unresolved Darfur crisis.

Afro-descendant communities in many Latin American countries face deeply entrenched racism. The Roma minority in Europe often faces discrimination in accessing basic social services, such as housing, education and health.

This third annual edition of State of the World's Minorities, a flagship publication of Minority Rights Group, looks at these and other issues affecting the human rights and security of ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples.

The report argues that response to such colossal global challenges is far too important to be left to politicians and policy-makers alone. The mitigation and adaptation strategies should be based on principles of equity and justice, taking into account needs of all sections of society.

The report includes:

• a preface by 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathaia
• ground-breaking analysis of the impact of climate change on minorities
• first-hand accounts of the impact of global warming from minorities themselves
• an eye-witness report from Pakistan on the plight of the country's religious minorities
• comprehensive regional sections, highlighting the main areas for concern, as well as any notable progress
• a unique statistical analysis and ranking of people under threat 2008.

State of the World's Minorities is an invaluable reference for policy-makers, academics, journalists and everyone who is interested in the conditions facing minorities and indigenous peoples around the world.

Source: http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/159533/1/6721

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