The 17th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues was held in Geneva, at the United Nations, on November 28th and 29th, 2024. The theme of this year's forum, held for the 17th time, was minority representation in the public space and discourse. Chaired by Anastasia Crickley, the former Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the forum was coordinated by the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Nicolas Levrat. The forum was attended by 690 participants, including representatives of civil society, human rights defenders, academics, experts, and government representatives. The forum consisted of four main sessions: minority representation in the public space, minority representation in education, minority representation in the media including social media, and minority representation in art and culture. Each session began with seven-minute presentations by three or four main speakers on the situation in their respective countries. This was followed by two-minute statements by representatives from civil society and countries addressing the situation of minorities related to the topic of each session, conveying their problems and demands. In addition, side events consisting of panels led by various international organizations and addressing the situations of minorities in different countries, including best practices, were also organized.

Nayat Karaköse, the Director of Programs of the Hrant Dink Foundation, represented the foundation at this year's forum. Speaking at the session titled "Minority Representation in the Media," Karaköse discussed the representation of minorities in the media in Turkey and hate speech. She provided information about the Hrant Dink Foundation's work on hate speech, the targeted minority groups, and the key findings of hate speech studies in the media, and offered recommendations for solutions.

To watch Nayat Karaköse's speech:

Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues Nicolas Levrat will prepare a report based on the suggestions made at the forum and will present his report containing recommendations to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2025.
In 2023, Minority Rights Academy Coordinator Mehmet Polatel represented the Hrant Dink Foundation at the 16th Forum on Minority Issues and gave a presentation on the barriers to the social and economic participation of minority group members, addressing the fundamental problems of minorities in Turkey in a panel on this theme.

To watch Mehmet Polatel's speech:

Click here to access the report “Tight Outfit: Armenian Institutions in Turkey, Problems and Solutions” published by the Hrant Dink Foundation addressing the fundamental problems of Armenians in Turkey and offering solutions.
Click here to access podcast series ‘Azınlık Hâlleri'.