A/HRC/61/33 in public schools to the Latvian language, could result in indirect discrimination against linguistic minorities. It also observed that requiring paid pre-election materials to be in Latvian might hinder minority participation in elections. The Committee urged Latvia to monitor the effects of the transition to Latvian as the language of instruction on linguistic minorities, to raise awareness about education programmes in minority languages and to promote the participation of minorities in electoral processes.48 53. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) promoted language rights and multilingualism throughout the year by supporting the implementation of the Law on the Use of Languages at the central and municipal levels. UNMIK facilitated the hiring of Romani translators in two municipalities, enhancing access to services for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. The Mission’s human rights component also provided training to 22 Romani translators from eight municipalities and courts, enhancing their interpretation skills. The Mission also supported Albanian and Serbian language courses for the police, research on the cultural rights of minority communities and joint advocacy between the Office of the Ombudsperson and the Office of the Language Commissioner. I. Religious or belief minorities and faith actors 54. In January, in a video message marking Holocaust Remembrance Day, the High Commissioner stated that antisemitism was rampant, with Jews facing increased intimidation, threats and physical violence. He warned of the dangers posed by the manipulation of language, disinformation, incitement to hatred and identity politics.49 On the same day, in an address to the European Parliament, the High Commissioner emphasized that upgrading efforts to combat antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and other forms of hate speech was an essential step towards building inclusive societies.50 55. In his statement to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, in March, the High Commissioner stressed that Muslims continued to face prejudice and oppression that, in its most extreme forms, translated into violence, as well as socioeconomic exclusion, with unequal and unjust immigration policies, religious profiling, unwarranted surveillance and arbitrary detention. He warned that such hatred manifested itself in racism, antisemitism and religious discrimination of all kinds, including through hateful rhetoric and the deliberate misrepresentation of certain groups. He expressed alarm at how religious differences had been weaponized and manipulated for political gain. The High Commissioner urged States to develop comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and institutions and to prosecute incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. 51 56. In April, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief conducted an official visit to Zambia and, in her end of mission statement, raised concerns about what she described as limited understanding and protection of religious or belief minorities. She noted that, while the Constitution of Zambia affirmed religious diversity, the declaration of the country as a “Christian nation” had contributed to indirect discrimination against non-Christian groups. The Special Rapporteur recommended strengthening legal protections, promoting inclusive policies and ensuring reasonable accommodation.52 57. In July, United Nations human rights experts expressed concern over amended law on the regulation of traditions and ceremonies of Tajikistan, which imposed restrictions on cultural and religious expression. The law banned clothing deemed “alien to national culture”, prohibited children from participating in Muslim holiday celebrations and limited the scale and scope of traditional ceremonies, such as weddings and hajj-related festivities. 48 49 50 51 52 12 CCPR/C/LVA/CO/4, paras. 47 and 48. See https://europe.ohchr.org/index.php/resources/speeches/message-international-daycommemoration-memory-victims. See www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/01/hc-brussels-europe-has-opportunityadvance-human-rights-home-and. See www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/03/turk-islamophobia-weakens-our-societiesand-damages-everyone. See www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/04/going-beyond-complacency-required-uphold-freedomreligion-or-belief-zambia. GE.25-21065