A/HRC/6/4 page 6 B. Treaty monitoring bodies 16. In a letter dated 24 July 2007, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance reiterated that they would encourage the Human Rights Committee to consider the possibility of adopting complementary standards on the interrelations between freedom of expression, freedom of religion and non-discrimination, in particular by drafting a general comment on article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (A/HRC/2/3, para. 61). In his reply dated 27 July 2007, the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee indicated that the Committee has taken due note of this recommendation and is particularly interested in drafting a revised general comment on article 20 of the Covenant. Since the Committee has already scheduled the drafting of general comments on other provisions of the Covenant, this recommendation will be examined by the Committee as soon as possible. 17. On 6 August 2007, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination held an exchange of views with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. The Special Rapporteur encouraged the Committee to continue addressing cases of “intersectionality”, i.e. of “aggravated discrimination” on one of the grounds referred to in article 1 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin) and religious grounds. While acknowledging the commonalities, the Special Rapporteur also stressed the subtle differences between discrimination on the basis of race and that on the basis of religion. The Committee decided that its next thematic debate, which was scheduled for August 2008, would be on the theme of double-discrimination based on race and religion. III. CONCLUSION 18. Some of the underlying causes of religious discrimination are ignorance and lack of respect for diversity, which may easily erupt into ethnic and religious hatred. The recommendations by the various Special Rapporteurs should be implemented as a step towards combating defamation of religions. Enhanced cooperation and stronger political will by Member States are essential for combating defamation of religions. -----