A/64/159 Interim report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Summary The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief submits the present report to the General Assembly pursuant to its resolution 63/181. In the report, she provides a brief overview of general patterns arising out of the mandate and further issues of concern. The Special Rapporteur then focuses on persons in vulnerable situations, including persons deprived of their liberty, refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced persons, children, persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and migrants, as regards their ability to freely exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief. The Special Rapporteur gives an overview of the activities carried out under the mandate since the submission of her previous report to the General Assembly, including communications with Governments, country visits and participation in conferences and meetings, as well as application of a gender perspective in the reporting process. The Special Rapporteur sets out a number of conclusions and recommendations, especially with regard to the protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief and to the prevention of related discrimination and intolerance. She emphasizes the importance of detecting early signs of intolerance that may not be human rights violations themselves, but that may ultimately lead to discrimination based on religion or belief. 2 09-40869