A/HRC/25/66
religious minorities. Efforts should be made to increase the representation of religious
minorities in law enforcement bodies, the judiciary and other relevant public institutions.
29.
As provided for in the Declaration, States should engage with neighbouring and
kin States that religious minorities emanate from and/or maintain peaceful contacts with.
They should foster positive exchanges and provide appropriate religious and/or cultural
support to religious communities, and support for them to establish and maintain peaceful
contacts with other members of their group both within their own country and across State
borders.
30.
Economic actors, including private businesses, as well as bodies representing
employees, such as trade unions, should ensure that religious minorities and their specific
religious requirements are reasonably accommodated in the workplace. Trade unions
should, for example, develop expertise on the challenges facing religious minorities in the
labour market in their country, and seek to engage policymakers and employers in finding
solutions.
31.
National human rights institutions should develop expertise on the religious
diversity within the State concerned, and actively ensure that challenges faced by religious
groups are addressed in their work. As appropriate to national circumstances, they should
consider establishing a specialized unit and/or regional offices, and developing guidelines
on religious minority issues. They should promote and ensure the representation of such
religious diversity within their own secretariat and staff.
32.
States should consider establishing a specially mandated, independent
ombudsman/institution that would receive complaints of, and initiate investigations into,
violations of the rights of religious minorities by both State and non-state actors. Such an
institution should play an active role in developing and overseeing implementation of
policy, programmes and legislation, and in identifying target areas, in collaboration with the
local, regional and national governments.
33.
Where religious minorities form the majority in a particular region or locality,
cultural and/or political autonomy arrangements may be considered appropriate, with due
consideration given to ensuring the rights of those who may form a minority in those
localities. Such arrangements should be established with the meaningful participation of
minorities.
34.
Measures should be put in place to protect and maintain the cultural heritage of
religious minorities — including buildings, monuments, burial grounds and other sites of
religious significance, as well as the documents, records and artefacts belonging to religious
minorities.
35.
All States should take steps to implement the Rabat Plan of Action on the
prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence.
D.
Consultation and participation
36.
Positive measures to ensure consultation with and participation of all religious
minorities at all levels of society are required. The inclusion of religious minorities in
consultative and decision-making bodies helps to ensure that their views, issues and
concerns are taken into account. States should facilitate the establishment of bodies and
mechanisms aimed at creating a space for discussions and exchanges on issues relevant to
religious minorities.
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