About Us

Minority Forum Info was created by the Tom Lantos Institute in cooperation with the Human Rights Consortium in the School of Advanced Study, University of London. The database compiles statements from the 2008-2022 sessions of the Forum on Minority Issues, as well as other Forum documents, reports of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, and key minority rights standards. The documents in the database were obtained from the official websites of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, through online submissions, and through other research efforts. The database is envisaged as a searchable, user-friendly resource for civil society actors including minorities, states, international organisations, academics, and other stakeholders working for the human rights of minorities.

The Tom Lantos Institute (TLI) is an independent human and minority rights organization. It is based in Budapest, Hungary. It operates internationally in terms of staff, partners, scope, and funds. As a research and education platform, TLI aims to bridge the gaps between research and policy, norms and practice. As part of its programs, TLI organizes its annual Global Minority Rights Summer School, in cooperation with the National University of Public Service and Middlesex University London. TLI also publishes its series, International Studies in Human Rights and Identity, with Brill Academic Publishers.

The Human Rights Consortium (HRC) was established in 2009 at the School of Advanced Study, University of London, to facilitate and promote research in human rights in the UK and internationally. The HRC is particularly focused on bringing together scholars and practitioners in the field of human rights through events, post-graduate teaching and publications. The HRC also hosts the Human Rights Researchers’ Network, which is affiliated with the International Journal of Human Rights.

**Note about indigenous peoples: The Minority Forum Info website is focused on documentation, developments, and other relevant information related to international and regional minority protection regimes. Under this umbrella, we have chosen to also include indigenous peoples. In some regions of the world, indigenous peoples constitute a large share of the groups that are a numerical minority and in a non-dominant position, and whose cultures, languages, and/or religious beliefs are distinct from the majority. While we do not wish to overlook the special characteristics that distinguish indigenous peoples from traditional minorities, we include indigenous peoples in the website to provide a broad perspective on minority protection in all parts of the world.