A/HRC/4/WG.3/6 page 15 II. COMPLEMENTARY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS WITH REGARD TO GROUPS REQUIRING SPECIAL PROTECTION AGAINST RACISM, RACIAL, DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE A. Religious groups 42. International concern raised by the recent increase in violence and discrimination based on religion or belief in many countries is justified. It is also a contemporary phenomenon that discrimination on various grounds such as race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin is frequently aggravated by the closely related ground of religion or belief. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) notes with particular concern “the existence in various parts of the world of religious intolerance against religious communities and their members, in particular limitation of their right to practice their beliefs freely, as well as the emergence of increased negative stereotyping, hostile acts and violence against such communities because of their religious beliefs and their ethnic or so-called racial origin.”25 The DDPA urges States to adopt legislative and other measures to protect religious minorities from any form of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.26 It 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, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.27 43. Under international law, the right to freedom of religion, which includes “freedom to change his religion or belief” and freedom “to manifest his religion or belief”, was first articulated in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With regard to the core human right treaties, freedom of religion is primarily guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).28 44. Proclaimed under article 18 of ICCPR, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of one’s choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one’s religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching religion, is a non-derogable right even in 25 Para 60 of the Declaration. See further references to religious groups and communities in paras 2, 8, 34, 59, 60, 66, 67, 71, 73 and 108 of the Declaration and paras. 14, 46, 47, 49, 79, 124, 136, 171, 172 and 211 of the Programme of Action. 26 Para. 172 of the Programme of Action. 27 Ibid., para. 136. 28 Articles 18 and 27.