A/HRC/43/72
85.
There was also a significant geographical imbalance in the reporting profile.
Some regions were scarcely represented and even within regions only a handful of
States ever reported and, when they did, did so once only or very infrequently.
86.
As the Human Rights Council requested the High Commissioner to prepare a
report based on, among other things, views on potential follow-up measures for
further improvement of the implementation of the action plan, 29 it would be beneficial
to gain a more complete picture of the efforts and measures taken by States to
implement the plan.
87.
As suggested in several previous reports, and given that there are two separate
annual reports on the same action plan – to the Human Rights Council and to the
General Assembly – States should seriously consider streamlining these parallel
reporting processes either in terms of content or focus, or by adjusting the reporting
time frames to a biannual period in order to give a more meaningful update of how
the action plan is being implemented worldwide. For example, the preparation of one
annual report, to be submitted alternately to the Council and the Assembly, may
increase the number and improve the representation of submissions received from
States.
88.
As stressed by the Human Rights Council 30 and mentioned in previous reports,
there is a need to implement all parts of the action plan outlined in paragraphs 7 and
8 with equal focus and attention in order to address the complex issue of religious
intolerance. Once again, some States continue to emphasize some paragraphs or
elements of the action plan and to pay little or no attention to others. Moreover, the
review carried out by OHCHR of the 12 reports on this topic submitted between 2012
and 2019 has highlighted that States tend to focus on constitutional and legislative
frameworks and collaborative networks;31 governmental mechanisms; 32 education and
awareness-raising activities; 33 interreligious dialogue; 34 and religious freedom and
pluralism.35
89.
It is therefore important that States also highlight the steps they have taken,
inter alia, with respect to: training government officials in effective outreach
strategies;36 encouraging the efforts of leaders to discuss within their communities the
causes of discrimination, and evolving strategies to counter those causes;37 speaking
out against intolerance, including advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes
incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence; 38 encouraging the representation
and meaningful participation of individuals, irrespective of their religion or belief, in
all sectors of society;39 and making a strong effort to counter religious profiling, which
is understood to be the invidious use of religion as a criterion in conducting
questionings, searches and other investigative law enforcement procedures.40
90.
The States that contributed to the present report noted that religious
intolerance, stigmatization, negative stereotyping and discrimination, including issues
of extremism and radicalization, are addressed through various educational measures
and cultural activities, dialogues, strategic plans and public information and media
campaigns, including online platforms. A number of these State-funded initiatives
focus on youth or are youth-driven. As several States have highlighted, while young
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Human Rights Council resolution 40/25, para. 13.
Ibid., para. 12.
Ibid., para. 7 (a).
Ibid., para. 7 (b).
Ibid., para. 7 (g).
Ibid., para. 7 (h).
Ibid., para. 8 (b).
Ibid., para. 7 (c).
Ibid., para. 7 (d).
Ibid., para. 7 (e).
Ibid., para. 8 (c).
Ibid., para. 8 (d).
15
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