We appreciate that many of the draft recommendations include proactive and positive steps that States should take to ensure members of religious minorities enjoy equal constitutional status; have access to justice; encourage full social, economic and political participation; and promote adoption of non-discrimination laws. Those measures are the best way to ensure the protection of religious freedom. We caution, however, that some states take and promote actions in the name of social harmony or promoting tolerance that in fact suppress religious freedom, particularly for members of religious minorities. For example, we increasingly have seen the use of blasphemy and anti-incitement laws used to target members of religious minorities, in violation of their freedoms of religion and expression. The United States deplores any attempts to encourage hostility or violence against any persons based on their religious beliefs, but we oppose blasphemy and antiincitement laws because they exacerbate intolerance and provide governments with the means of suppressing the freedoms of religion and expression. As the Human Rights Council has repeatedly affirmed, the best mechanism for preventing hostility or violence based on religion or belief is for states to enact the positive and proactive steps included in HRC Resolution 16/18, most of which are also included in the Forum’s draft recommendations. We look forward to having a fruitful discussion and sharing experiences and good practices relating to protecting members of religious minorities from violence, working to protect the identity of members of religious minorities, and the promotion of interfaith dialogue.