A/HRC/19/60/Add.2 79. The optional nature of religious instruction in public schools must be ensured not only de jure but also de facto. Providing effective protection for non-attending children against possible pressure from school authorities, church officials, other children or any other party should be a priority. In this regard, effective mechanisms to ensure that neither children nor parents suffer from negative consequences for declining to take part in religious instruction are sine qua non conditions. 80. The Government should speak out clearly against any manifestations of religious hatred and related intolerance. In accordance with article 20, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence should be prohibited. 81. As stated by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 16/13, the Government should exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator. In particular, the Government should proactively investigate acts of intimidation or hostility targeting religious or belief minorities, including in rural areas. The relevant provisions of the legislative framework should be fully implemented. 82. Registration of religious or belief communities by the State should be enacted in a spirit and manner of servicing the human right to freedom of religion or belief. Therefore, the registration process should be quick, transparent and nondiscriminatory. It should not depend on extensive formal requirements in terms of the number or the time a particular religious group has existed, nor should it put an undue burden on communities applying for registration status. No religious or belief group should be allowed to decide about the registration of another religious or belief group. 83. Registration should not be a precondition for practising one’s religion or belief. The Government should respect the right of members of registered and unregistered religions to exercise their freedom of religion, and review existing registration regulations and practices in order to ensure the right of all persons to manifest their religion or belief, alone or in community with others and in public or in private, regardless of registration status. 84. The Government should continue to recognize the right to conscientious objection in law and in practice, and ensure that the relevant legislation is implemented in a non-discriminatory manner. 85. The Government should open up the military for the service of chaplains of different religions or beliefs. 86. The Government should be flexible in giving residence and work permits to non-citizens operating as religious personnel. 87. The “authorities” of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova are additionally urged: (a) To similarly review practices giving a privileged place to the Orthodox Church and related practices leading to de facto discrimination against adherents to other religions or beliefs; (b) As a related matter, to give serious consideration to strengthening rules and procedures for implementing the principle of equal treatment on all grounds secured under international law; 20