A/78/207 freedom of religion or belief in their policymaking in relation to business and human rights, as well as in chambers of commerce. The Forum on Business and Human Rights and civil society initiatives such as the Religious Freedom and Business Forum are also well placed to foster and promote best practices in that regard. 85. In relation to the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief of workers within businesses, the mandate holder has previously pointed out the sources of religious intolerance and discrimination in the workplace, including prejudices existing among employers, employees or customers, restrictive interpretations of corporate identity or a general fear of religious diversity. Drawing on t he Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, under which reasonable accommodation is legally prescribed as an indispensable element of related anti-discrimination agendas, the mandate holder argued that such a corporate duty should be adopted to eliminate discrimination based on religion or belief in the workplace. 91 In addition, employers should generally understand religious tolerance and diversity as a valuable asset and foster an open and respectful atmosphere where employees could express their issues as a preliminary to detecting concealed forms of intolerance and instances or patterns of indirect discrimination. 86. Many situations of armed conflict are characterized by the participation of non-State armed groups. The potential violations for which non-State armed groups can be responsible were outlined by the previous mandate holder in his final report to the Human Rights Council, in which he indicated that Non-State armed groups were bound by international humanitarian law and internatio nal criminal law, including in relation to discrimination based on religion or belief. 92 87. The media, including social media companies, are critical actors in shaping public opinion and perceptions about religion and belief and therefore can play an important role in combating stigmatization and marginalization of individuals and religious or belief groups. Their role in that regard has been noted in numerous standards, 93 as well as in communications 94 and thematic 95 and country reports 96 of the mandate holder. One of the key points is their independence and the veracity of the information they provide. In that regard, it is essential that the media avoid bias and sensationalism, as it perpetuates religious or belief prejudices and stereotypes, through accurate and objective reporting. Through initiatives such as shows, documentaries or articles in which the diverse beliefs, rituals and practices of different religions or beliefs are addressed, the media can help to dispel myths and stereotypes and promote diversity, tolerance and understanding, especially if they bring together people of different faiths (or none) to foster respect between different religious communities. In a similar vein, the media can also play a key role in denouncing violations of the right to freedom of religion and belief, thus helping people who have suffered such violations, especially those belonging to minorities, to feel that they have a space where their voices can be heard. 88. Digital platforms and legacy media can play crucial roles in upholding the right to freedom of religion or belief. On the one hand, they can increase access to __________________ 91 92 93 94 95 96 18/24 See A/69/261. See A/HRC/49/44. A/HRC/22/17/Add.4, paras. 35, 40 and 48. See also https://fezforum.unaoc.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/12/Fez-Declaration-Adopted-22Nov-End-of-Ministerial-Meeting.pdf. OHCHR, communications sent to the Governments of Hungary (HUN 1/2022), India (IND 7/2022), Pakistan (PAK 1/2023) and Somalia (SOM 4/2022) and to the de facto authorities in Somaliland (OTH 129/2022). A/HRC/46/30, paras. 15–22 and 57–68; A/74/358, paras. 35–39; and A/HRC/49/44, paras. 36, 40 and 82. A/HRC/43/48/Add.2, paras. 25 and 61; A/HRC/43/48/Add.1, para. 61; and A/HRC/34/50/Add.1, paras. 24 and 25. 23-14116