A/HRC/4/WG.3/6 page 38 to protect minorities, including religious minorities, from any form of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.110 The DDPA also calls on States to implement policies and programmes in their educational institutions that promote respect and tolerance for religious diversity, as human rights education is an effective means for combating racism.111 126. States are urged to implement policies and measures that are designed to prevent and eliminate all such discrimination on the basis of religion and belief112 and to promote and protect the exercise of the rights set out in the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.113 Finally, the DDPA stresses that religion, spirituality and belief can contribute to the eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.114 127. The 1981 Declaration is the central piece of international legislation in the area under discussion. It asserts inter alia that: “Discrimination between human beings on the grounds of religion or belief constitutes an affront to human dignity and a disavowal of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and shall be condemned as a violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and enunciated in detail in the International Covenants on Human Rights, and as an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations between nations.”115 128. It is, however, not a binding document. In this context, it is becoming even more important that United Nations intergovernmental bodies attach sufficient importance to its implementation. In resolutions referring to the implementation of the Declaration, the Commission on Human Rights urged States to take “all appropriate measures”, in conformity with international standards for human rights, to guarantee freedom of religion and belief and to combat religious intolerance and acts of violence.116 In a number of resolutions, the Commission also called on States to ensure that all public officials, including members of law enforcement bodies, in the course of their official duties respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate on the grounds 110 Para. 172 of the Programme of Action. 111 Ibid., para. 136. 112 Ibid., para. 14. 113 Ibid., para. 79. 114 Para. 8 of the Declaration. 115 Article 3. 116 Resolutions 1994/18 and 1998/18.