A/HRC/55/47/Add.1 standards, including due process. The Human Rights Committee has expressed serious concerns in this regard and the Special Rapporteur underscores the dangers that flow from this to freedom of religion or belief.14 48. The policy framework for combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief, outlined in Human Rights Council resolution 16/18, and its follow-up action plan in the Istanbul Process for Combating Intolerance, Discrimination and Incitement to Hatred and/or Violence on the Basis of Religion or Belief would help Tajikistan bring its laws and policies in this area in line with international standards. 49. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the fact that the punishment for incitement to hatred for first time offenders was reduced to a fine. This reduction in punishment is a good practice that should be more widely applied as Tajikistan aligns its laws with its international obligations. The opportunity should also be taken to ensure that criminal punishments and penalties are proportional to and commensurate with the gravity of the crimes. 50. Tajik concerns around religious organizations and movements, religious enmity and the forcible overthrow of constitutional State structures, political parties and armed groups acting against nationalism and religious hatred can only be understood in the light of the civil war of 1992–1997. The shadow of that civil war looms very large over the current laws and practices in Tajikistan relating to freedom of religion or belief. Scope needs to be offered to freedom of religion or belief in Tajikistan. The imagination of the authorities regarding the positive contributions of freedom of religion or belief to a harmonious and rich public life need to grow in appreciation. Religion or belief do not in themselves pose risk factors to societal life, they can serve as active contributors to development, peace and understanding. Respect of freedom of religion or belief enhances security and confidence and itself helps to counter violent extremism. VII. Particular impacts on various sectors of society A. Muslims 51. The Hanafi school of Sunni Islam is recognized as having a special role in the development of the national culture and spiritual life of the people of Tajikistan, pursuant to the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations Act, and it has a special place in public life and policy. However, the Islamic community as a whole is singled out for special restrictions in the Act. Islamic preaching is permitted only in officially recognized mosques. There are limitations on the number of mosques allowed per head of population, and others have been closed or demolished. While officials have claimed that the closures happened at the request of the mosque congregations, local Muslims have rejected such claims. 52. According to the Government, there are no officially adopted regulatory standards regarding men’s beards and women’s clothing. However, the authorities reportedly launched an anti-beard campaign in October 2010 and in November 2012, the Ulama Council established the length of men’s beards (one fist) and dress standards for women. Younger male teachers are banned from having beards, while teachers over the age of 50 are allowed to have beards of a maximum of 1 cm in length. On 28 April 2023, the head of the national Committee for Youth and Sports reportedly urged bloggers not to grow beards and to refrain from promoting beards online, as they might be interpreted as “an expression of solidarity with terrorist groups” such as the Taliban and they could also pose “a threat to national security and statehood”. 53. During her visit to Tajikistan in 2007, the former Special Rapporteur had consultations with the chairperson and several members of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (see para. 6 above). The Party had called for respect of the country’s secular Constitution and its international religious freedom commitments and opposed restrictions on beards, headscarves and children attending mosque. After the 2015 ban, some 150 Party members 14 10 Adyrkhayev et al. v. Tajikistan (CCPR/C/135/D/2483/2014), para. 9.5. GE.24-00093