The First United Nations Mandate on Minority Issues describes the challenges in shaping a new mechanism for the UN's protection of minority rights and contains reports on the plight of minorities in countries around the world.

Gay McDougall, J.D. Yale; LL.M. London School of Economics, was UN Independent Expert on Minorities (2005-2011), Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (1997-2001) and is currently at the Leitner Center of Fordham Law School.