Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Discrimination of National Minorities

National minorities may be less in number but their plead for equal treatment was too loud to ignore. Their call against discrimination spurred countless debates, launched global awareness campaigns, and was used as subject in good essays.
Minority is defined as the other group forming a whole, with a smaller number. Minorities in countries are usually classified as either, ethnic, religious or linguistic. They are often subject to discrimination and are sometimes deprived of their rights. They also end up victims of exclusion and racism.
Everyone was born with the right to equal treatment and opportunity before the law. However, some seem to neglect observing this right. Minorities suffer from prejudice. Members of indigenous groups are bullied because of their clothes. People laugh at them because of their accent and skin color. They are exposed to cruel treatment from the society and even genocide, in extreme cases.
There are global movements and groups initiated to look into national minorities and cases of discrimination. The most well-known is the international organization called United Nations, with 192 member states.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities enumerates the right of minorities.  The Declaration conforms to the principles of equal treatment under the law and non-discrimination. Other relevant and important principles are also discussed such as protection of existence.
The United Nations has from the start endeavored to act on minority issues. They have launched activities to fight discrimination and formed offices to closely monitor the welfare of minorities. Three of which are described further below:
Indigenous People and Minorities Unit. The office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' function is to push forward the rights of minorities. They conduct trainings for members of the society, research and analysis, and promote awareness on the Declaration.
Independent Expert on Minority Issues. Orders to uphold the Declaration and determine the possibilities of advancing UN Human Rights Officer’s technical cooperation.
UN Human Rights office. They provide support and assist the activities of organizations advocating human rights.
No writer can really identify which topic will earn him positive feedback. At the end of the day, no matter how confident he is of his work, the readers will always have the final say which ones are the good essays. Hence, people should be welcome to any idea, weird or stubborn. Likewise, minorities should not be viewed as inferior. Though they may differ in aspects involving culture, language, beliefs, or skin complexion, they still share with the majority, the same society and nation.
Discrimination threatens peace and national stability. Clamor for a just society can trigger protests, and demonstrations. United Nations should not be the only one advancing the rights of minorities. Everyone has to participate. One way to help is writing good essays to promote equal treatment. Discrimination, in any way, should not be tolerated. Respect should always prevail. National minorities have needs similar to the rest. They want to feel secured and protected, at least in their own country. In trying times, all we can count on is one another. There should be no room for discrimination of national minorities as it is only in unity and cooperation can a nation truly progress.