A/64/159 communities for reasons of religious traditions or those ascribed to religion. Furthermore, there have been reports of arrests, flogging, forced conversion and even murders targeted specifically at women in the context of intolerance based on religion or belief. Female members of minority religions also tend to be prone to become victims of rape and violence stirred up by organized groups. 61. The Special Rapporteur also notes with regret that women continue to be largely excluded from the decision-making process within most religious communities. This process is indeed usually a monopoly for men. In order to exercise their full human rights, women therefore have to negotiate with religious beliefs and traditional values, often within their own communities. Similarly, at a time when much emphasis is put on inter-religious dialogue, the absence of women’s voices in that dialogue is striking. The work that must be carried out to redress the situation remains important and will require energy at all levels. In this context, the Special Rapporteur would like to refer to General Assembly resolution 63/181, in which the Assembly emphasizes the importance of a continued and strengthened dialogue among and within religions or beliefs, at all levels and with broader participation, including of women, to promote greater tolerance, respect and mutual understanding. 62. Another issue of concern is the number of reservations made by several States when ratifying human rights instruments, in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, for example when referring to the incompatibility of some of its provisions with religiously inspired national legislation. In his study on freedom of religion or belief and the status of women from the viewpoint of religion and traditions, 30 the previous mandate-holder discussed this problem in more detail. With reference to this study, the Special Rapporteur is pleased to inform that, in line with Commission on Human Rights resolution 2004/36 and her recommendation, 31 the study will be available in all six official languages of the United Nations later in 2009. 63. The Special Rapporteur intends to continue devoting particular attention to discriminatory practices against women on the basis of their religion or belief. In this regard, she has sent joint communications with other special procedures mandate-holders and has included subchapters on the specific situation of women in recent country reports. 32 V. Conclusions and recommendations 64. In order to tackle religious intolerance, States must provide for non-discriminatory legislation and an independent and impartial judiciary, as well as a law enforcement which is sensitive to religious diversity. Once these conditions exist, other initiatives to promote tolerance, respect and understanding will be far more effective. 65. Universal human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, apply to all human beings everywhere. However, the reports of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief since 1986, as well as the __________________ 30 31 32 20 E/CN.4/2002/73/Add.2. See A/HRC/4/21, paras. 39 and 52. See A/HRC/4/21/Add.3; A/HRC/7/10/Add.2 and Add.3; A/HRC/10/8/Add.2 and Add.3. 09-40869

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