A/54/386 religion and human rights, as the Special Rapporteur suggested earlier. 146. As regards minorities, it will be recalled that the Commission on Human Rights, in resolution 1999/39, expressed its deep concern at the increase in the violence and discrimination against religious minorities, including restrictive legislation and arbitrary application of legislative and other measures. The Commission urged States, in conformity with international standards of human rights, to take all necessary action to combat hatred, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion motivated by intolerance based on religion or belief, with particular regard to religious minorities. In addition to prevention through the elaboration of an international educational strategy to combat all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief, which would of course address the question of religious minorities, the Special Rapporteur wishes to underline the vital role played by the Working Group on Minorities (of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights) in the consideration of the promotion and observance of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the exploration of possible solutions to problems affecting minorities and the formulation of recommendations for the adoption of new measures to ensure the promotion and protection of their rights. The Special Rapporteur might want to contact the Working Group in order to consider possible avenues of cooperation in such matters as seeking solutions for acts of discrimination and intolerance affecting religious minorities. 147. Where sects or new religious movements are concerned, the Special Rapporteur considers that the time has come to initiate appropriate methods for examining this question calmly, without emotion and without bias, in such a way as to ensure that freedom of religion and belief is not manipulated and is permitted to serve the purpose which justified its legal consecration and protection, and to serve that purpose alone. As “sects” or “new religious movements” do sometimes commit abuse, the authorities are right to be concerned and it is their duty to take action to enforce the law. This duty must lead to the application of penal law, and even its improvement, in order to penalize any abuse of property or person. This does not mean that the State should conduct a witch-hunt which would breed intolerance and discrimination and would contravene international law. Education can also play a vital role in relation to such abuse. As Danièle HervieuxLéger, the sociologist, stated, the best remedy is common sense, discernment and the inculcation of a critical spirit. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his recommendation for a comprehensive study of the question (with the caveat that “sect” and “new religious movement” both cause difficulties in that they lump together various situations, thereby resisting serious analysis). 148. As regards all the problems discussed above (religious extremism, policies affecting freedom of religion and belief, discrimination attributed to religion and affecting women), the Special Rapporteur is of the opinion that religions are very often taken advantage of. It is therefore important to promote further the role which religions can play in conflict prevention and resolution and in reconciliation. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur welcomes the initiative taken in July 1999 by 40 representatives of the Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Jewish religions to ensure the participation of religions in the dialogue and peace effort in the Balkans. In their final declaration, these religious leaders undertook to promote or encourage every effort to promote education, tolerance and social justice and to combat discrimination. 149. Manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance may overlap with manifestations of intolerance and discrimination based on religion and conviction. As requested by the Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur, in his contribution to the World Conference against Racism, should be able to help identify solutions designed to prevent and eradicate such evils. 150. In accordance with the principle of interdependence of human rights, any action to promote tolerance and non-discrimination is intrinsically interrelated with action to promote democracy and development. 151. The effectiveness of activities to combat and prevent every kind of violation and abuse against freedom of religion and belief requires the following changes. 152. As regards the change in the title of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur is gratified that the Commission on Human Rights, in resolution 1999/39, noted “the request of the Special Rapporteur to change his title from Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance to Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief” and decided “to consider, at its fifty-sixth session, changing the title”. The Special Rapporteur very much hopes that this change will be approved in order to lend more weight to his mandate while maintaining his function in relation to incidents and governmental measures incompatible with the 1981 Declaration, to take account of the content of resolutions 23