A/HRC/55/47 general public.83 Such initiatives are to be strongly encouraged; they must be inclusive of traditional, non-traditional and “new” religious or belief communities, encourage dialogue and an understanding of the diversity not only among but also within religious or belief communities. 2. Creation of government mechanisms to identify and address potential areas of tension between different religious communities and assisting with conflict prevention and mediation 49. Initiatives submitted include dialogue and conciliation initiatives,84 round tables,85 the establishment of dedicated departments, 86 the development of guidelines to prevent communal violence87 and the inclusion of the right to freedom of religion or belief under the work of national human rights institutions.88 Such initiatives increase our insight to the harms engendered by advocacy of hatred, especially advocacy that remains below the threshold for prohibition under articles 19 and 20 of the Covenant but which nonetheless serves as an early warning sign for potential incitement. The above initiatives should be actively monitored, including through direct outreach to the communities targeted, 89 and addressed through legislative and policy initiatives beyond the realm of criminal law, including in collaboration with civil society organizations. In her 2023 report to the General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur recommended the creation of a dedicated national focal point on freedom of religion or belief, with the authority to oversee freedom of religion or belief and the prohibition of discrimination based on religion or belief across State institutions. 90 Such a focal point would also be well placed to gather and monitor data on potential areas of tension and establish an early warning system. 3. Encouraging the training of government officials in effective outreach strategies 50. Effective outreach is essential to developing and maintaining trust in State institutions, including law enforcement. Initiatives reported by States have included awareness-raising events hosted by State institutions, the production of capacity-strengthening materials aimed at public servants and training programmes for law enforcement and justice operators on non-discrimination, hate crimes and hate speech in the context of the fight against racism and xenophobia.91 Such initiatives benefit from the direct involvement of affected communities, religious or belief groups, faith-based and civil society organizations in their design and implementation. 4. Encouraging the efforts of leaders to discuss the causes of discrimination and evolving strategies to counter those causes within their communities 51. Supporting and facilitating dialogue among religious leaders is also important, although it is necessary to ensure inclusivity and representation.92 Initiatives should aim at encouraging dialogue and addressing the psychological roots of prejudice between communities at the grass-roots level93 and should be empowered to carry out their activities continuously and not only in times of an uptick in violence.94 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 14 A/78/241, para. 5. A/HRC/46/67, para. 18; see also submissions by Kenya, Romania and Ukraine. A/HRC/52/79, para. 8. Ibid., para. 9, see also submissions by Australia, Chile and Colombia. A/HRC/49/86, para. 9. A/HRC/46/67, para. 17. Submissions by Chile, Colombia and Lithuania; see also submissions by the Federal Public Defender’s Office (Brazil); the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action Partners, Indonesia; SOVA Research Center; and World Jewish Congress. A/78/207, para. 105. A/76/164, paras. 11–13; A/78/241, para. 9; A/HRC/49/86, paras. 12–14; and A/HRC/52/79, paras. 11–12. See https://www.toaep.org/ps-pdf/41-bergsmo-manocha/, pp. 991-1008; see also submission by Search for Common Ground. Submission by Chile; see also submissions by Asia Centre and Interfaith Encounter. Submission by the Centre for Social Justice. GE.23-25950