A/HRC/6/4 page 3 I. OVERVIEW 1. In paragraph 13 of its resolution 4/9 of 30 March 2007, entitled “Combating defamation of religions”, the Human Rights Council requested me “to report to the Human Rights Council on the implementation of this resolution at its sixth session”. 2. I have the honour to inform the Council that, in relation to paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 of that resolution, several reports have been submitted. These include my report on incitement to racial and religious hatred and the promotion of tolerance submitted to the Human Rights Council at its second session in March 2006 (A/HRC/2/6) pursuant to its decision 1/107. In this report it is noted that some national jurisprudence appears far richer than the international on the many dimensions of the law and policy on incitement. Courts in many countries have developed very detailed jurisprudence on a number of the key issues and built a large body of cases from which to draw principles and rules of interpretation. The situation is not even, however, and there are many other countries where the law in this area is still fairly rudimentary. The international system could learn much from the relevant national experiences. 3. I also prepared a report on the issue of combating defamation of religions that was submitted to the Human Rights Council at its fourth session in March 2007 (A/HRC/4/50) in accordance with Human Rights Council decision 2/102. In this report, it was concluded that although Member States, the United Nations system and the wider international community, including non-governmental organizations, are continuing to take steps to counter religious intolerance, this phenomenon continues to be a problem. Continuous reports of allegations of incidents involving intolerance and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief indicate that much more needs to be done. Uniform, consistent application of the law, based on human rights, is essential but not enough. The political will of Member States is paramount to effectively counter this phenomenon. These reports contain information which continues to be relevant. 4. Additionally, the Secretary-General, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 60/150 of 16 December 2005, entitled “Combating defamation of religions”, submitted a report on the implementation of that resolution at the sixty-first session of the Assembly. In this report, also entitled “Combating defamation of religions”, submitted to the General Assembly on 12 September 2006 (A/61/325), the Secretary-General concluded that the steps taken by Member States, the United Nations system and the wider international community to counter religious intolerance, as summarized in the report, are indicative of a will to counter religious intolerance. Continuous reporting on allegations of incidents involving intolerance and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, however, indicate that much more needs to be done. 5. I also note that in addition, a comprehensive report of the Secretary-General on combating defamation of religions will be submitted to the General Assembly at its sixty-second session, pursuant to Assembly resolution 61/164 of 19 December 2006. 6. My office also provides technical and substantive support to intergovernmental and treaty bodies as well as special procedures addressing the issues of racial discrimination and freedom of religion or belief.