A/73/362 discussions through which to promote tolerance and understanding between communities, and voice their rejection of violent doctrines by emphasizing the peaceful and humanitarian values inherent in their theologies ” (ibid., para. 49 (e)). He further recommended the use of the Rabat Plan of Action in support of a comprehensive approach to addressing issues of incitement and violent extremism (ibid., para. 50 (i)). E. “Faith for Rights” framework 67. The “Faith for Rights” framework, which was launched in March 2017 through the Beirut Declaration on Faith for Rights and its 18 commitments, 34 highlights that religious leaders are potentially very important human rights actors in view of their considerable influence on the hearts and minds of hundreds of millions of believers. The underlying rationale is expressed in the commitment to “leverage the spiritual and moral weight of religions and beliefs with the aim of strengthening the protection of universal human rights and developing preventative strategies”. 35 68. The undertaking expressed in the Beirut Declaration to enhance cohesive, peaceful and respectful societies by mobilizing faith-based actors behind the human rights framework is particularly well illustrated by the commitments to: support and promote equal treatment in all areas and manifestations of religion or belief; ensure non-discrimination and gender equality; stand up for the rights of all persons, including those belonging to minorities; publicly denounce all instances of advocacy of hatred that incite violence; refrain from oppressing critical voices or giving credence to exclusionary interpretations on the basis of religious grounds; and condemn judgmental public determinations by any actor who in the name of religion aims to disqualify the religion or belief of another individual. The holistic human rights approach of the “Faith for Rights” framework is further expressed in the commitment to defend the freedom of expression, including academic freedom and the promotion of tolerance through formal education channels. It also emphasizes the important role of parents and families in detecting and addressing early signs of vulnerability of children and youth to violence in the name of religion. VI. Conclusions and recommendations 69. Terrorism and violent extremism pose direct threats to the enjoyment of human rights, ranging from the right to life and the right to liberty and security of person to freedom of expression, association and thought, conscience and religion. States have an obligation to protect from violence all individuals within their territories and subject to their jurisdictions. However, the failure to uphold human rights obligations while pursuing these measures has also caused an alarming uptick in human rights violations, including undue restrictions on freedom of religion or belief. 70. Over the past two decades, United Nations experts, human rights organizations, religious leaders and activists, as well as counter-terrorism specialists, have raised serious concerns about the inverse relationship between ill-defined security measures and the protection of human rights, demonstrating the detrimental impact that measures to counter terrorism or prevent violent extremism have had on the enjoyment of the freedom of religion or belief and the __________________ 34 35 18-14697 OHCHR, Faith for Rights (Geneva, 2018). Available at www.ohchr.org/Documents/Press/ Faith4Rights.pdf. OHCHR, “18 commitments on ‘Faith for Rights’”, commitment XVI. Available at www.ohchr.org/Documents/Press/21451/18CommitmentsonFaithforRights.pdf. 19/22