E/CN.4/1995/91 page 145 The Special Rapporteur tends towards the view that, avoiding attitudes and behaviours dictated by immediate circumstances, human rights, including the right to freedom of religion, should be dealt with on a continuing basis and should therefore not be the subject of any ambivalence, evasion or functionalization for purposes other than those which constitute their raison d’être. "Hatred, intolerance and acts of violence, including those motivated by religious extremism" are factors potentially capable of promoting the development of situations that may threaten or compromise international peace and security in one way or another and infringe human rights and the right of peoples to peace. The Special Rapporteur is firmly convinced that religious extremism - like the extreme reactions it can unleash, both among authorities and in public opinion - is a factor contributing to the maintenance of tensions that can lead to situations which are difficult to control and expose the credibility of human rights (including the right to peace), to drifting and chance. The Special Rapporteur considers that maintenance of the right to peace should encourage further development of international solidarity so as to curb religious extremism of any kind by acting on both its causes and its effects, without selectivity or ambivalence, and by first of all defining - as certain States have done, often within the framework of regional international organizations - minimum common rules and principles of conduct and behaviour towards extremism and towards terrorism. The Special Rapporteur wishes again to place emphasis on education as the essential means of opposing intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. The actions and initiatives taken hitherto have been much more concerned with ways of dealing with intolerance and discrimination than with their prevention. In his view, priority in combating intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief must be given to prevention through education. This could make a decisive contribution towards the adoption of values based on human rights and to the development, both in individuals and in groups, of tolerant and non-discriminating attitudes and behaviour, thus helping to extend the culture of human rights. The Special Rapporteur is firmly convinced that lasting progress towards tolerance and non-discrimination in the area of religion and belief can be ensured mainly through education, and particularly through the schools. The questionnaire on this subject which was sent to States could constitute the first stage of a process aimed at promoting a better understanding of freedom of religion and belief and at first curbing and then eradicating intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. The information gathered by the Special Rapporteur demonstrates the international community’s interest in problems of religious intolerance and discrimination and the genuine efforts being made by many Governments to limit their impact. As the Special Rapporteur noted in his previous report (E/CN.4/1994/79), his role is not to level accusations or make value judgements, but rather to promote understanding of the circumstances underlying religious intolerance and discrimination, mobilize international public opinion and establish a dialogue with the Governments and any other parties concerned.