Freedom of religion or belief A/RES/68/170 members of many religious and other communities in various parts of the world, including cases motivated by Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Christianophobia and prejudices against persons of other religions or beliefs; Reaffirms that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any 5. religion or belief as this may have adverse consequences on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief of all members of the religious communities concerned; Condemns violence and acts of terrorism, which are increasing in 6. number, targeting individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities across the world; Recalls that States have an obligation to exercise due diligence to 7. prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator, and that failure to do so may constitute a human rights violation; Emphasizes that freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression 8. are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing, and stresses the role that these rights can play in the fight against all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief; Strongly condemns any advocacy of hatred based on religion or belief 9. that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audiovisual or electronic media or any other means; 10. Expresses concern at the persistence of institutionalized social intolerance and discrimination practised against many on the grounds of religion or belief, and emphasizes that legal procedures pertaining to religious or belief-based groups and places of worship are not a prerequisite for the exercise of the right to manifest one’s religion or belief and that such procedures, when legally required at the national or local level, should be non-discriminatory in order to contribute to the effective protection of the right of all persons to practise their religion or belief, either individually or in community with others and in public or private; 11. Recognizes with concern the situation of 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; 12. Emphasizes that, as underlined by the Human Rights Committee, restrictions on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief are permitted only if limitations are prescribed by law, are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, are non-discriminatory and are applied in a manner that does not vitiate the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief; 13. Expresses deep concern at emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief as well as the continued existence of instances of intolerance, discrimination and violence based on religion or belief, including: (a) The increasing number of acts of violence and intolerance directed against individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities and other communities in various parts of the world; 3/6