A/HRC/13/23/Add.1 communities. Changing place names or public signs into only Kazakh in areas with high minority populations may cause animosity. The Government is urged to use a dual language approach (Kazakh/Russian or Kazakh/minority language) when renaming towns and villages, in the use of public signs and when issuing public information documents. 87. While welcoming the provision and support of minority language schools, the independent expert requests the Government to take action to ensure the highest quality in non-Russian language schools, including minority language schools and Kazakh schools; guarantee adequate funding and resources, particularly for schools using languages of smaller ethnic groups; ensure sufficient provision of minority language textbooks; ensure that all textbooks include appropriate consideration of the cultures, traditions and history of minorities and their contributions to Kazakh society; and ensure equality of access to university education for students from all groups. The Government is commended for supporting the provision of informal structures, such as Sunday schools, where circumstances do not allow for the provision of permanent, full-time minority schools. Most important is that all schools prepare all groups for full inclusion in every aspect of society. Particular measures should be taken to ensure that minority girls do not face barriers to equality in access to education and equal education outcomes. 88. Kazakhstan has exhibited inter-faith harmony and religious freedom for those religions recognized as “traditional” or orthodox. However, faiths considered to be “non-traditional”, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptists, evangelicals, Scientologists, non-recognized forms of Islam and others, feel that they have not been accorded the same freedoms. Rules for the registration of religious groups that may violate both the Constitution and international norms, public statements and publications by the Government warning the population against certain religious faiths, unjustified confiscation of property, imposition of fines, arrests, deportations and other abuses of power by police, national security agents and bureaucrats appear to constitute repression of religious groups. 89. The freedoms accorded to traditional religious groups must be extended to all religious groups. No judgement should be made by the Government as to which belief systems constitute legitimate beliefs and which do not. The Government would breach its obligations to guarantee freedom of religion, freedom of thought and freedom of association if it denied registration to an organization as a way to deny the legitimacy of its religious doctrine. Furthermore, the Government must not determine that someone’s belief system or activities constitute a threat to national stability or individual security that is punishable without the commission of a criminal act. 90. The Government is urged to engage in a wide-ranging dialogue with “nontraditional” religious groups about ways to guarantee their full rights and freedoms. Existing laws on religious organizations and activities should be brought into compliance with the Constitution and international legal standards, and not restrict the legitimate activities of individuals or religious groups. Repressive measures against religious groups and their members must stop immediately. 91. A number of recent incidents suggest that ethnic tensions exist and have occasionally flared into violent attacks on minority groups. In some cases, deaths have occurred and community members have fled their homes. While the events have been sporadic and do not signal a high risk of sustained inter-ethnic violence, the ethnic dimensions of such incidents must not be ignored. There may be critical issues simmering beneath the surface that must be addressed in an open and transparent manner in order to guarantee that inter-ethnic harmony is maintained. Aggressive manifestations of nationalism and incitement to racial or religious hatred in the media GE.10-10602 21