E/CN.4/2004/63
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B. Inter-religious dialogue
132. A concern of the Special Rapporteur has always been to encourage inter-religious
dialogue as a fundamental aspect of prevention where religion and belief are concerned, more
particularly the prevention of conflicts. In this regard, religions need to examine ways of
managing the expression of their own internal diversity while at the same time incorporating a
genuinely pluralist culture.
133. The Special Rapporteur has put forward specific recommendations to this end in the
context of his in situ visits and has covered the issue of inter-religious dialogue in his general
reports and in the general framework of the International Consultative Conference on School
Education in relation to Freedom of Religion or Belief, Tolerance and Non-Discrimination.
134. The Special Rapporteur has also frequently stressed the importance of the numerous
initiatives taken by the officials of religions, large and small, to meet and work together for
peace, such as the Millennium World Peace Summit (A/56/253, para. 126) or the activities
undertaken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
in the context of the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations in 2001 and other inter-religious
summit meetings (E/CN.4/2003/66).
III. REPORT ON COOPERATION WITH THE COMMISSION
ON HUMAN RIGHTS, UNITED NATIONS HUMAN
RIGHTS MECHANISMS, SPECIALIZED AGENCIES
OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
A. Follow-up to Commission on Human Rights initiatives
1.
Contribution to the World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
135. The Special Rapporteur was called on to contribute actively to the preparation of the
Conference, both by putting forward recommendations concerning religious intolerance and
by initiating studies. He accordingly submitted to the Preparatory Committee, at its first
session, a study entitled “Racial discrimination and religious discrimination: identification
and measures” (A/CONF.189/PC.1/7), and, at its the second session, a second study entitled
“Racial discrimination, religious intolerance and education” (A/CONF.189/PC.2/22), containing
specific recommendations, particularly in the sphere of prevention.
2. Follow-up to the resolutions on defamation
136. In 1999, the Commission, inter alia, requested the Special Rapporteur on religious
intolerance to take account in his reports of its resolution 1999/82 of 30 April 1999, entitled
“Defamation of religions”.