Minority-related activities in the United Nations System in 2013 Sally Holt, Rajiv Jebodh and Jeremie Gilbert 1 Abstract In reviewing the activities of relevant UN human rights institutions, bodies and mechanisms this chapter identifies and examines some of the main issues that have emerged regarding minority rights during the year 2013. It notably analyses how the UN has focused particular attention on the situation and the rights of religious minorities, as well as on the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda. The chapter also reviews activities in other issue areas important for minorities such as language, education, combatting racism, hatred and intolerance, and the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. It highlights developments with regard to specific groups such as Roma, people living with Albinism and Dalits. It also examines some of the urgent situations that have arisen from conflicts which have targeted minorities across the globe. Key words: development; religion; independent expert on minority issues; discrimination; racism and intolerance; conflict; sectarian violence; minority protection Introduction The present chapter reviews the activities regarding minority rights undertaken by UN human rights institutions during 2013. 2 It looks first at the activities of Independent Expert on Minority Issues (IEMI) 3 and other UN special rapporteurs (SRs) whose mandates are of relevance to the situation of minorities. Section II focuses specifically on the work on religious minorities undertaken under the umbrella of the Forum on Minority Issues since this has been a prominent theme in 2013. In Section III the work of the SRs and the Forum is placed in the context of wider UN led developments regarding minority rights such as the adoption of the Guidance Note of the Secretary-General on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. Finally, the fourth section examines the UN responses to urgent situations involving targeted attacks against minorities that have arisen throughout the year across the globe. 1 The three authors are affiliated to the Centre for Human Rights in Conflicts based at the University of East London (UK). Sally Holt is Research Fellow; Rajiv Jebodh is a PhD candidate and an intern at the center; and Jérémie Gilbert is a Reader in Law at University of East London. 2 References to some of the activities that took place in early 2014 are also made where these are directly related to developments or events under discussion in 2013. . 3 On 11 April 2014 pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 25/5, the mandate of the Independent Expert was extended for a period of 3 years and the title changed to Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues. This does not impact on the method of work or activities to be carried out, but simply reflects the HRC desire to standardise nomenclature of mandate-holders. 1