International standards recognize the important role of political parties in the promotion of tolerance, cultural diversity and the resolution of questions related to minorities.67 Politicians play an essential role in the processes of integration, both as legislators and decision-makers, shaping the political discourse and contributing to the overall social climate, including with regard to inter-community relations. Political parties and actors, regardless of political and ideological lines, are bound by the same prohibition against discrimination as the rest of society. Although political parties’ and elected representatives’ freedom of expression when performing their duties is especially protected due to their key societal and democratic role, the prohibition against incitement to racial, ethnic or religious hatred applies to them as well.68 In addition, even within the broad limits of their freedom of expression, politicians must also be aware of the impact – both positive and negative – that their conduct can have on the prevailing climate of tolerance in society. If political parties and representatives engage in respectful dialogue and take a clear stance against the incitement to hatred, the political climate will become more conducive to the integration of society. 28. Private-sector actors, including employers and trade unions as well as private education institutions and private media, should be encouraged to realize their potential contribution by devising and delivering integration policies alone and in partnership with other actors. The integration of society is not only the responsibility of institutions or political parties and cannot, more generally, be completely confined to the political process. Rather, all actors in society share this responsibility and must be aware of their roles. This also affects private actors who, by the nature of their activity, might be particularly relevant. These include, inter alia, employers and trade unions due to the importance of the labour market and of working environments for accommodating diversity and promoting integration. In developing public policy, the contribution that the private sector can make to facilitate integration should be recognized and can be encouraged by developing links between public and private actors at different levels (national, regional and 67 68 See, inter alia, Copenhagen Document, paragraph 30. See, inter alia, ICCPR, article 20; ICERD, article 4; and ECHR, article 10, as interpreted in ECtHR case law on hate speech, in particular: Case of Feret v Belgium, application number 15615/07. 36 Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies