A/72/219 by Roma in Europe, but also to the discrimination they face in other regions. Colombia reported on the measures it has taken to i mprove the inclusion of Roma and Argentina shared data on public attitudes towards Roma and other minorities. 33 24. The Special Rapporteur on minority issues focused on the issue of discrimination based on caste and analogous systems of inherited status in her report presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2016, noting that while many caste-affected groups may belong to the same larger ethnic, religious or linguistic community, they often share minority-like characteristics. 34 Under the framework of the Network on racial discrimination and minorities, OHCHR coordinated the preparation of a guidance tool on descent-based discrimination, highlighting good practices notably at the country level. The tool, aimed at United Nations country teams in particular, was launched in Nepal in March 2017. 35 E. Interfaith dialogue 25. In order to address intolerance and hostility towards religious minorities and others, enhanced human rights-based dialogue between different communities is essential. Religious leaders have been encouraged to provide a platform for intra- and interfaith dialogue and discussions in order to promote tolerance and understanding between communities, including in the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, submitted to the General Assembly in January 2016. 36 26. The role of religious leaders and faith-based actors in promoting human rights, including rights of persons belonging to minorities, is highlighted in the “Faith for Rights” initiative, launched by OHCHR with an expert workshop in Beirut in March 2017. This initiative provides space for cross-disciplinary reflection on the deep and mutually enriching connections between religions and human rights. The initiative has led to the adoption of the Beirut Declaration 37 and its corresponding 18 commitments on “Faith for Rights”, which include the pledge to stand up for the rights of all persons belonging to minorities and to defend their freedom of religion or belief as well as their right to participate equally and e ffectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life, as recognized by international human rights law. The Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide has also organized regional and national meetings with religious leaders o n their role in preventing and countering incitement to violence that could lead to atrocity crimes and has also engaged in the production and implementation of the global Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence th at Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes. 38 27. The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, in his report presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2017, drew attention to the role that national human rights institutions can play in guiding interf aith dialogue in line with the Rabat Plan of Action. 39 Submissions from national human rights institutions also demonstrate their role in tracking and reporting on problems in terms of communication about minority religions. The Danish Institute for Human __________________ 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 8/12 Submission by Argentina and Colombia. See A/HRC/31/56, para. 21. See A/HRC/34/21 and Corr.1, para. 30. The tool is available from www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/ Minorities/Pages/MinoritiesIndex.aspx. See A/70/674, paras. 36 and 49. Available from www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomReligion/Pages/FaithForRights.aspx. Submission by the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. See A/HRC/34/50, para. 19. 17-12826