A/HRC/9/7 page 9 Furthermore, articles 1 and 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights clearly impose a legal obligation on States to eliminate discrimination and protect against intolerance. It also maintains that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant, in particular the provision of article 20 (2), which prohibits the advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, affirm that freedom of speech entails duties and responsibilities and is subject to limitations. In this connection, the Islamic Republic of Iran referred to general comment No. 11 of the Human Rights Committee, in which it recognizes that the limitations in article 20 (2) are compatible with the right to freedom of expression in article 19 of the International Covenant. The provisions of the International Covenant against incitement to religious hatred are legitimate safeguards against abuse of the right to freedom of expression. 25. The Islamic Republic of Iran also referred to the 2001 World Conference against Racism held in Durban, South Africa, and the unequivocal statement in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action that “the dissemination of all ideas based upon racial superiority or hatred shall be declared an offence punishable by law”. This statement is consistent with article 4 (b) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which places an obligation on States to be vigilant and proceed against organizations that disseminate ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, acts of violence or incitements to such acts. It concluded that the right to freedom of expression should be exercised with the responsibilities and limitations prescribed by law and that the international community should initiate a global dialogue to promote a culture of tolerance and peace based on respect for human rights and cultural diversity. To illustrate the importance that it attaches to the fight against racism, the Government cites several initiatives that it has taken in recent years, including its active participation in the 2001 World Conference against Racism in Durban, its initiation of the idea of “dialogue among civilizations”, which was welcomed by the international community, sponsorship of the resolution on human rights and cultural identity, and the hosting of the 2007 ministerial conference of the Non-Aligned Movement on human rights and cultural diversity. Mauritius [Original: English] 26. Section 11 of the Constitution of Mauritius on the protection of conscience provides that, except with one’s own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of their freedom of conscience, which includes freedom of thought and religion, the freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and the freedom either alone or in community with others and both in public and private to manifest and propagate one’s religion or belief in worship. The Constitution also provides that no person attending any place of education shall be required to receive religious instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or relate to a religion to which he does not adhere. Conversely, no religious community or denomination shall be prevented from providing religious instruction to persons of that community or denomination in the course of any education provided by that community or denomination.