United Nations: Published new guide “Protecting Minority Rights: A Practical Guide to Developing Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Legislation”

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of 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 guide, the first of its kind, contains details of the human rights obligation to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination laws at the national level and in line with the standards of international human rights law.

The publication was elaborated in the course of a three-year consultation. The aim is to answer the long-term identified need for a handbook for governments, civil society, human rights defenders and other stakeholders on the main principles and contents of anti-discrimination law, aspects of the global prohibition of all forms of discrimination and the protection of minorities.

The Equal Rights Trust has been supporting those working to enact comprehensive anti-discrimination laws for 15 years.

“In every corner of the world, we have witnessed the need for clear, comprehensive and authoritative guidance on what states must do to fulfil their international obligations to prohibit discrimination and promote equality,” said Dr Evelyn Collins, Chair of the Trust. “This guide meets that need and we know that it will be invaluable to our partners and all those involved in the fight for equal rights.”

There can be no equality where there is discrimination, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

“We cannot eradicate discrimination unless comprehensive and effective equality laws are enacted, enforced and implemented,” he said. “These laws provide a foundation for states to realize their ambition to be inclusive and to forge societies in which everyone is equal in dignity and rights.”