A/HRC/22/51 7. The Special Rapporteur seeks to clarify allegations of certain actions possibly incompatible with the provisions of the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981 Declaration)1 by sending allegation letters and urgent appeals to States. The communications sent by the Special Rapporteur between 1 December 2011 and 30 November 2012 are included in the latest communications reports (A/HRC/20/30, A/HRC/21/49 and A/HRC/22/67). 8. As requested by the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur has continued to apply a gender perspective, inter alia, through the identification of gender-specific abuses, in the reporting process, including information gathering and recommendations. A number of allegation letters and urgent appeals summarized in the communications reports specifically address practices and legislation that discriminate against women and girls, including in the exercise of their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief. C. Other activities 9. On 22 and 23 May 2012, the Special Rapporteur joined the Independent Expert on minority issues, Rita Izsák, at an expert seminar in Vienna that focused on “Enhancing the effectiveness of international, regional and national human rights mechanisms in protecting and promoting the rights of religious minorities”. He spoke about the protection of religious minorities under international human rights standards, including the 1981 Declaration and articles 18, 26 and 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 10. On 1 October 2012, the Special Rapporteur participated in a conference organized by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on developments and challenges that OSCE member States face in the context of freedom of religion or belief. 11. The Special Rapporteur also participated in a wrap-up expert workshop in Rabat on 4 and 5 October 2012, on how best to respond to advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. The experts jointly adopted the Rabat Plan of Action,2 which contains conclusions and recommendations emanating from the series of four regional workshops organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in 2011. 12. On 27 November 2012, the Special Rapporteur took part in the fifth session of the Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva. He spoke about the rights of religious minorities and presented recommendations on the positive measures that could be taken to protect and promote their rights. 13. In addition, the Special Rapporteur held many meetings with government representatives, religious or belief communities, civil society organizations and academic experts working in the area of freedom of religion or belief. In this context he participated in national and international conferences, including in Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Geneva, Heidelberg, Lucerne, New York, Nijmegen, Salzburg, Vienna and Warsaw. 1 2 4 General Assembly resolution 36/55. See www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Opinion/SeminarRabat/Rabat_draft_outcome.pdf.