Elisa Burchett: State of the World’s Minorities
Minority Rights Group International has just released its annual review “State of the World’s Minorities 2007” focusing on the events of 2006. U.N. Independent Expert on Minority Issues, Gay J. McDougall states in the book’s preface, “While acknowledging the reality of ethnic or religious dimensions in many conflicts, the more fundamental causes of these conflicts generally lie below the surface, buried, often intentionally, by those with an interest in fomenting conflict. In some situations, the purveyors of war are actually seeking power and profits by immoral or illegal means, and they often find easy cover in deflecting blame onto those who are most powerless and most different.”
In a recent briefing at the United Nations Correspondents Association, Ishbel Matheson, Head of Communications for Minority Rights Group International followed upon Mr. McDougall’s theme, saying the “war on terror” can be viewed as an excuse to create, encourage or exacerbate conflict between minority groups, i.e. religious and ethnic groups in Iraq. The review emphasizes that ethnic or religious diversity alone is neither a precondition for, nor a determinant of violent conflict and the existence of minority groups, in what may be perceived to be an otherwise homogenous society, is not an inherent cause of conflict. “We must dispel the myth that diversity is, in itself, a cause of tension and conflict”, McDougal stated.
In the section entitled “Peoples under Threat”, there is a table of rank (1 through 20) and ranking number 1 this year is Somalia followed by Iraq and Sudan. Pakistan is 8th; the Russian Federation 10th and Iran ranks 20th. The review also sheds light on minority groups often overlooked such as the Chaldo-Assyrians, Syriac-speaking Orthodox Christians, Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Armenians, and Protestants in Iraq. In September-October ’06 the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) reported increasing violence against all Christians, with a spike in attacks after the Pope’s controversial remarks on Islam.
Also among the “often overlooked” are the Mandean-Sabeans (Gnostics) who have lived in Iraq for over 2,000 years. Their religion forbids the use of violence which, the review states, makes them an easy target. Another group is the “followers of the Baha’i faith” who don’t believe Mohammed was the last prophet. The Baha’i are reported as not being allowed to have citizenship papers or travel documents – making it difficult for them to leave the country. According to Eric Witte in the section on the Middle East, as violence increases, Iraqi Christians are fleeing in “disproportionate numbers” to Syria, Jordan and “beyond”. The review covers much of the world’s minorities from the Americas to Africa and from Europe to Asia and Pacific offering a concise review of the common issues facing minority groups in each area.
Central to Gay J. McDougall’s mandate is the promotion of the implementation of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, adopted in 1992, in which states have pledged to protect the existence and identity of minorities within their territory, to establish conditions of equality and non-discrimination, and to ensure effective participation of minorities in public life. By doing so, he believes he is promoting conflict prevention. For more information about the “State of the World’s Minorities 2007”, please visit http://www.minorityrights.org
Elisa Burchett
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Minority Rights Group International has just released its annual review “State of the World’s Minorities 2007” focusing on the events of 2006. U.N. Independent Expert on Minority Issues, Gay J. McDougall states in the book’s preface, “While acknowledging the reality of ethnic or religious dimensions in many conflicts, the more fundamental causes of these conflicts generally lie below the surface, buried, often intentionally, by those with an interest in fomenting conflict. In some situations, the purveyors of war are actually seeking power and profits by immoral or illegal means, and they often find easy cover in deflecting blame onto those who are most powerless and most different.”
In a recent briefing at the United Nations Correspondents Association, Ishbel Matheson, Head of Communications for Minority Rights Group International followed upon Mr. McDougall’s theme, saying the “war on terror” can be viewed as an excuse to create, encourage or exacerbate conflict between minority groups, i.e. religious and ethnic groups in Iraq. The review emphasizes that ethnic or religious diversity alone is neither a precondition for, nor a determinant of violent conflict and the existence of minority groups, in what may be perceived to be an otherwise homogenous society, is not an inherent cause of conflict. “We must dispel the myth that diversity is, in itself, a cause of tension and conflict”, McDougal stated.
In the section entitled “Peoples under Threat”, there is a table of rank (1 through 20) and ranking number 1 this year is Somalia followed by Iraq and Sudan. Pakistan is 8th; the Russian Federation 10th and Iran ranks 20th. The review also sheds light on minority groups often overlooked such as the Chaldo-Assyrians, Syriac-speaking Orthodox Christians, Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Armenians, and Protestants in Iraq. In September-October ’06 the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) reported increasing violence against all Christians, with a spike in attacks after the Pope’s controversial remarks on Islam.
Also among the “often overlooked” are the Mandean-Sabeans (Gnostics) who have lived in Iraq for over 2,000 years. Their religion forbids the use of violence which, the review states, makes them an easy target. Another group is the “followers of the Baha’i faith” who don’t believe Mohammed was the last prophet. The Baha’i are reported as not being allowed to have citizenship papers or travel documents – making it difficult for them to leave the country. According to Eric Witte in the section on the Middle East, as violence increases, Iraqi Christians are fleeing in “disproportionate numbers” to Syria, Jordan and “beyond”. The review covers much of the world’s minorities from the Americas to Africa and from Europe to Asia and Pacific offering a concise review of the common issues facing minority groups in each area.
Central to Gay J. McDougall’s mandate is the promotion of the implementation of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, adopted in 1992, in which states have pledged to protect the existence and identity of minorities within their territory, to establish conditions of equality and non-discrimination, and to ensure effective participation of minorities in public life. By doing so, he believes he is promoting conflict prevention. For more information about the “State of the World’s Minorities 2007”, please visit http://www.minorityrights.org
Elisa Burchett
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report