minorities and for States alike. These two days provide a unique opportunity to further elaborate on how we can implement the Declaration in many practical ways. The issues that will be discussed here - the rights of religious minorities - are highly relevant to the work of the Human Rights Council and have been consistently addressed by the Council’s different procedures and mechanisms. For example, in its resolution 22/20 of March 2013, renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the Human Rights Council expressed deep concern at the rise of religious extremism and at the increasing number of acts of violence directed against individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities in various parts of the world. It emphasised that States should exercise “due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities”. The resolution also points to the need for States to promote “mutual understanding, tolerance, non-discrimination and respect in all matters relating to freedom of religion or belief by encouraging, in society at large, a wider knowledge of different religions and beliefs and of the history, traditions, languages and cultures of the various religious minorities existing within their jurisdiction”. The Council has also adopted resolutions on “Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons based on religion or belief”. Its resolutions propose an action-oriented approach to combating religious intolerance that protects freedoms of expression and religion and calls for specific measures to combat religious intolerance. The objectives include identifying best practices, producing concrete proposals in such areas as training government officials, establishing enforcement mechanisms, and engaging with members of religious communities. In its resolutions, the Council also welcomes “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” and recognizes the importance that “open, public debate of ideas, as well as interfaith and intercultural dialogue, at the local, national and international levels, can be among the best protections against religious intolerance and can play a positive role in strengthening democracy and combating religious hatred”, helping to overcome existing misperceptions. This session of the Forum is therefore timely in providing such space for an open debate of ideas and I hope that all participants will seize this opportunity for discussion of 2