other manifestations of extremisms. That will play an important role in promoting a culture of tolerance and respect. Any public statements that incite national, racial or religious hatred should be unequivocally condemned, promptly investigated and adequately sanctioned, to ensure that such discourse is not condoned in society. 95. During this sensitive period for the country, the protection of minority rights is clearly both a human rights imperative and key to conflict prevention. In the current context, the adoption of measures to reassure all members of minorities regarding respect for their right to equal participation in public affairs and public life is urgently needed. The conduct of public affairs covers all aspects of public administration, as well as the formulation and implementation of policy at international, national, regional and local levels. Therefore, a mechanism should be put in place to ensure full consultation of minorities, including numerically smaller minorities, in decision-making processes at the central, regional, and local levels, 96. Violations related to the Maidan protests should be investigated and addressed in order to ensure accountability of perpetrators. In light of numerous attacks against journalists during the Maidan demonstrations, and ahead of the referendum in Crimea, measures should be taken to ensure that their right to security of the person, as well as freedom of expression are protected and promoted. The Government should send out a strong public message in this regard. It should clearly inform that all acts of aggression, threats and intimidation against journalists and other media professionals, as well as human rights defenders, will be immediately investigated, prosecuted and punished. Journalists and human rights defenders, who are victims of such acts, should be provided with adequate remedies. 97. With respect to Crimea, it will be important for the authorities in Crimea to both publicly condemn all attacks or harassment against human rights defenders, journalists or any members of the political opposition; and ensure full accountability for such acts, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, killings, torture and ill-treatment, through prompt, impartial and effective investigations and prosecutions. It is crucial that the cases of missing persons are resolved, and that access to places of detention is granted, including the Military Drafting Center (Voenkomat) in Simferopol, to all international organisations requesting it. The protection of the rights of all minorities and indigenous peoples in Crimea, in particular Crimean Tatars, must be assured. 98. The actions carried out by members of paramilitary groups in Crimea, raise serious concerns. The rule of law should be urgently restored in Crimea and security of all individuals and public order ensured. Permitting unregulated forces to carry out abusive security operations violates that obligation and basic respect for human rights. The authorities in Crimea should immediately disarm and disband all paramilitary units operating outside of the law, protect people from their illegal actions, and ensure that all law enforcement activities are carried out by the police. The authorities should ensure that any self-defence units that are created operate in accordance with the law and that the public is aware of the units’ chain of command structure and accountability mechanisms. The authorities in Crimea confirmed their intention to disarm and disband all armed groups (including self-defense groups). 99. Independent and impartial monitoring and reporting of the human rights situation in Crimea would deter violations, stimulate accountability and prevent the spreading of rumours and political manipulations. Mr. Rustam Timirgaliev was informed on the structure and the mandate of the envisaged UN Human Rights Monitoring presence and had promised to revert. However, in the meantime, the Russian Federation communicated through diplomatic 23 | P a g e