A/64/159 impairment of the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis. States have the obligation to act effectively upon these early warning signs and to take all appropriate necessary measures to redress a situation that could lead to large-scale violations of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief. In this context, the Special Rapporteur would like to draw attention to the different obligations of the States with regard to discrimination and intolerance, as stipulated in the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. Its article 4 affirms that all States shall take effective measures to prevent and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief in the recognition, exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in all fields of civil, economic, political, social and cultural life and that all States shall make efforts to enact or rescind legislation where necessary to prohibit any such discrimination, and to take all appropriate measures to combat intolerance on the grounds of religion or other beliefs in this matter. 73. In order to foster a climate of religious tolerance, it would be advisable for States to devise proactive strategies. It is pivotal that political leadership takes a clear and human rights based approach on the question of religious tolerance and communicates its position both throughout party cadres and to the public at large. In addition to legislation, States have several tools at their disposal to counter religious intolerance, for example by encouraging inter-religious and intra-religious dialogue as well as by providing quality education, including on human rights. These approaches need to be inclusive also in terms of the religions or beliefs covered and the State should refrain from interfering with the freedom of thought, conscience and religion of individuals, in accordance with international human rights law. Above all, the rule of law and the functioning of democratic institutions are prerequisites for the effectiveness of these strategies which seek to encourage a real dialogue and understanding. 09-40869 23