A/HRC/52/38 belief for any reason, including the fact that they are newly established, or represent religious minorities that may be the subject of hostility on the part of a predominant religious community. 43 Sometimes invitations are made to representatives of those religions or religious communities that are the largest numerically, most established or considered the most politically or economically relevant, even if the rationale given is different. For example, a principal focus has been given to the Abrahamic religions or the “three heavenly religions”. If such decisions are to be human rights-compliant, they need to be concerned about consciously advancing tolerance and understanding rather than relying on majoritarianism, conventionality44 or reciprocity. Other elements of diversity and representation also play into this, for example, youth and gender. In short, the engagement of representatives of religions or belief systems, religious leaders and communities needs to be carried out in an inclusive manner that upholds non-discrimination. 47. The strong role of religious or belief organizations in some arenas has, on occasion, been criticized, if this role is not carried out with sufficient openness to those belonging to other religions or beliefs, or where it may result in limiting the human rights of others, one example being the health sector.45 48. Religious actors have had a longstanding role in the development field. International forums have recognized this,46 and codes of conduct47 have played important roles in giving them a greater profile. The Sustainable Development Goals generated an active interest in the role of freedom of religion or belief in their advancement, 48 in addressing inequality and human development in general.49 49. In the humanitarian field, religious communities have had a very long standing and notable engagement the world over. A number of codes of conduct have emerged from such communities to clarify that humanitarian aid must be given regardless of the recipients’ “creed”, and without adverse distinction of any kind and that aid will not be used to further a particular “religious standpoint”.50 50. The influence and engagement of religious and belief communities in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding has long been established. This has given rise to inspiring visions, 51 new initiatives 52 and global movements with established regional and national plans to advance peace. 53 A previous mandate holder urged caution against homogenizing the experiences of religious or belief minorities in conflict situations, lest it lead to “religionizing” conflicts, which may make conflict resolution more elusive and intractable.54 Other frameworks have put forward holistic understandings of human rights and 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 10 Human Rights Committee, general comment No. 22 (1993), para. 2. See A/76/380. Indigenous Peoples have often been left out of consultations. See A/HRC/43/48. See https://www.g20interfaith.org. See https://www.jus.uio.no/smr/english/about/programmes/oslocoalition/docs/ groundrules_english.pdf. See also https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/releases-statements/sri-lankauscirf-expresses-concern-about-signs-growing-religious. See https://www.humanrights.dk/sites/humanrights.dk/files/media/document/_%2019_0292222%20freedom_of_religion_or_belief_gender_equality_and_the_sustainable_development_%20fd%2 0487747_1_1.pdf. See https://creid.ac. “The freedom to hold beliefs of one’s choosing and to change them is central to human development as it makes possible the individual’s search for meaning – a distinguishing impulse of the human conscience.” (https://www.bic.org/statements/freedom-believe-upholdingstandard-universal-declaration-human-rights). See https://www.ifrc.org/our-promise/do-good/code-conduct-movement-ngos, core principles 2 and 4; and A/HRC/40/58, annex II, commitment XIV. See https://www.bahai.org/documents/the-universal-house-of-justice/promise-world-peace. See https://www.forhumanfraternity.org. Religions for Peace (https://www.rfp.org/who-we-are/). See also https://www.rfp.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/04/FINAL-Religions-for-Peace-Code-of-Conduct.pdf. A/HRC/49/44, para. 72. GE.23-00741