A/HRC/13/40/Add.3 70. The Special Rapporteur would also like to refer to the concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee (CCPR/C/UNK/CO/1, paras. 20-21), which was concerned about the widespread discrimination against minorities in Kosovo and noted that members of minority communities have only limited access to the conduct of public affairs. Further efforts should be made to increase the representation of minority communities, including members of religious minorities, in the judiciary and to improve their access to public service. 71. The Kosovo authorities should exert their utmost efforts to ensure that religious sites are fully respected and protected and to take additional measures in cases where they are vulnerable to desecration and destruction. The Kosovo authorities should also aim to foster a culture of tolerance and respect for the diversity of religions and for religious sites, which represent an important aspect of the collective heritage of humankind. In general, further efforts should be made by all actors to improve the communication between the Kosovo authorities and the Serbian Orthodox Church. 3. Recommendations for the consideration of religious communities and their leaders 72. One of the tools for promoting religious tolerance is a meaningful interreligious and intra-religious dialogue, particularly in order to address contentious issues that religious leaders can resolve amicably through negotiations rather than confrontation. The Special Rapporteur would urge a more cooperative attitude in this regard, especially from the leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo. At this critical moment, religious leaders have a responsibility to play a constructive role so that freedom of religion or belief can be enhanced in a democratic, nondiscriminatory and depoliticized manner. The religious leaders’ public positions have a direct impact on their communities and can have either positive or detrimental effects on religious harmony. 73. Ultimately, dialogue at the grass-roots levels as well as joint meetings or artistic events that bring together from different religious backgrounds may help in building bridges between the communities and seeking reconciliation. In this regard, the General Assembly emphasizes in its resolution 63/181 the importance of a continued and strengthened dialogue among and within religions or beliefs, at all levels and with broader participation, including of women, to promote greater tolerance, respect and mutual understanding. The Assembly also stresses the need to address the rise of religious extremism that affects the rights of individuals, as well as the misuse of religion or belief for ends inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations and other relevant instruments. 4. Recommendations for the consideration of the international community 74. It is vital to send a clear message that violence and incitement to racial or religious hatred will not be tolerated. The Special Rapporteur would like to reiterate the Human Rights Committee’s concern (CCPR/C/UNK/CO/1, para. 12) about the continuing impunity enjoyed by some perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed prior to the UNMIK mandate and about ethnically motivated crimes perpetrated since June 1999, including those committed in March 2004, as well as the failure to effectively investigate many of these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice. 75. One of the lessons learned from the violent conflicts in the past decade is to remain vigilant in detecting any emerging religious tensions and to try defusing them before they suddenly deteriorate and turn violent. In this regard, the Human Rights Council, the system of special procedures and the treaty bodies have an important 20