E/CN.4/2005/61 page 7 − To recognize the right of all persons to worship or assemble in connection with a religion or belief and to establish and maintain places for these purposes; − To exert the utmost efforts, in accordance with their national legislation and in conformity with international human rights standards, to ensure that religious places, sites and shrines are fully respected and protected and to take additional measures in cases where they are vulnerable to desecration or destruction; − To ensure that all public officials and civil servants, including members of law enforcement bodies, the military and educators, in the course of their official duties, respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate on the grounds of religion or belief, and that all necessary and appropriate education or training is provided; − To promote and encourage, through education and other means, understanding, tolerance and respect in all matters relating to freedom of religion or belief. 12. The Commission on Human Rights also stressed the need for the Special Rapporteur to continue to apply a gender perspective, inter alia through the identification of gender-specific abuses, in the reporting process, including information collection and in recommendations. B. Methods of work 13. While the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief, like other special procedures, addresses primarily individual rights, the specificity of the mandate requires her to address, inter alia, the question of the relationship between the State and religious communities, the question of non-discrimination between religious communities, as well as interreligious and intrareligious tolerance. These are critical factors of the mandate and at times require an approach distinct from other special procedures. The twenty-first century also poses a series of new challenges, such as the use of religious beliefs for political purposes, along with increased negative stereotyping of some religions. Against this background, the Special Rapporteur undertakes activities that may be articulated around the principles of protection and prevention. Prevention and protection both play a crucial role in challenging religious intolerance. These aspects will remain central to her mandate. 14. In the light of the above and taking into account the fact that the methods of work described in the present section are susceptible of evolution over the time, the Special Rapporteur undertakes the following activities: (a) To communicate with a wide range of interlocutors (governmental and non-governmental, religious and non-religious organizations as well as individuals) to ensure receipt of accurate information on the situation of freedom of religion or belief worldwide. This includes the participation in meetings and multilateral and bilateral talks with State representatives, non-governmental organizations, and representatives of religious communities. It also includes the monitoring of the flow of written information received at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;