Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief A/RES/69/174 Underlining the fact that States, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and the media have an important role to play in promoting tolerance and respect for religious and cultural diversity and in the universal promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, Underlining also the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions or beliefs and of education in the promotion of tolerance, which involves the acceptance by the public of and its respect for religious and cultural diversity, including with regard to religious expression, and underlining further the fact that education, in particular at school, should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief, Recognizing that working together to enhance the implementation of existing legal regimes that protect individuals against discrimination and hate crimes, increase interreligious, interfaith and intercultural efforts and expand human rights education is an important first step in combating incidents of intolerance, discrimination and violence against individuals on the basis of religion or belief, Recalling General Assembly resolution 68/127, entitled “A world against violence and violent extremism”, adopted by consensus on 18 December 2013, welcoming the leading role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in promoting intercultural dialogue, the work of the Alliance of Civilizations, the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for Dialogue between Cultures and the work of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna, and recalling also Assembly resolution 65/5 of 20 October 2010 on World Interfaith Harmony Week, proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Welcoming, in this regard, all international, regional and national initiatives aimed at promoting interreligious, intercultural and interfaith harmony and combating discrimination against individuals on the basis of religion or belief, including the launching of the Istanbul Process for Combating Intolerance, Discrimination and Incitement to Hatred and/or Violence on the Basis of Religion or Belief, and taking note of the initiative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, Welcoming also the continuation of the organization of workshops and meetings in the framework of the Istanbul Process and the promotion of effective implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 16/18 to counter global violence, religious discrimination and intolerance, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;5 2. Expresses deep concern at the continued serious instances of derogatory stereotyping, negative profiling and stigmatization of persons based on their religion or belief, as well as programmes and agendas pursued by extremist individuals, organizations and groups aimed at creating and perpetuating negative stereotypes about religious groups, in particular when condoned by Governments; 3. Expresses concern that the number of incidents of religious intolerance, discrimination and related violence, as well as of negative stereotyping of _______________ 5 A/69/336. 3/5