A/72/155 21. The links between fundamentalism and extremism on the one hand and violent extremism and terrorism on the other must be recognized, as must the inherently dangerous nature of the underlying ideologies themselves for women ’s human rights. Some fundamentalist and extremist forces pass themselves off as “moderate”. Yet, they provide the ground on which violent extremists stand, by promoting the very discriminatory laws and practices that the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief finds to have a strong link to incitement to violence in the name of religion (see A/HRC/28/66, para. 11). The Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association noted that fundamentalist “mindsets … can form the ideological basis for such viol ations” (see A/HRC/32/36, para. 90). 22. Governments should not use so-called “non-violent extremism”, which often includes advocacy of discrimination against women and fosters violence against them, as a tool to fight what they deem to be violent extremism. The highest price for such blunders is paid by women on the ground. Extremist actors will not be truly disarmed unless their ideology, including as it relates to gender equality, is repudiated. 23. The human rights approach to fundamentalism and extremism should encompass State and non-State actors. It is unclear how Governments that espouse such policies as systematic discrimination against women, reminiscent of those advocated by violent extremist armed groups, can successfully defeat those groups without undertaking significant reform, as they create fertile ground for the implantation of similar policies. B. A women’s human rights approach to fundamentalism and extremism, with cultural rights at its core 24. Fundamentalism and extremism are human rights issues. It is critical to focus not only on the security implications thereof, but also on their impact on a broad range of rights, including women’s cultural rights, and to take a human rights approach to addressing them. Full implementation of norms guaranteeing the human rights of women, including their economic, social and cultural rights, is a critical tool for combating fundamentalism and extremism. Policies that combat discrimination against women in relation to their right to take part in cultural life or that promote their freedom of artistic expression, scientific freedom and right to education, in accordance with international human rights norms, are core aspects of combating fundamentalism and extremism. 25. Governments must ensure a counterweight to fundamentalist and extremist discourses by publicly challenging them and guaranteeing education in accordance with international standards. Another crucial step is to reinvest in the field of culture, with the aim of creating conditions that allow women, without discrimination, to access, participate in and contribute to cultural life in a continuously developing manner. Creating an environment conducive to cultural democracies that foster gender equality is key. 26. The Special Rapporteur notes with concern that, owing to financial crises and austerity measures adopted in a number of States, programmes in the field of culture often suffer the most. This is a serious mistake. Austerity measures often lead to a situation where the fields of education and culture, inter alia, will be left to others, in particular those with fundamentalist agendas, with dire consequences for women. 27. States must respect, protect and fulfil human rights, in particular cultural rights, meaning they must: (a) stop supporting fundamentalist and extremist 17-12043 7/23