A/HRC/24/41/Add.3 they attribute to either a resistance towards the recognition of certain groups or a lack of disaggregated data. c. Religious discrimination 33. Discrimination against indigenous peoples whose religious beliefs are distinct from the majority populations is also widely cited matter of concern. The Special Rapporteur was informed that sites considered sacred by indigenous peoples under their own religions and belief systems have been desecrated or destroyed by large-scale development projects, and that reparations for environmental damage, where they have been provided, have allegedly failed to take the religious significance of these sites into consideration. Religious discrimination is also manifested in attempts to convert indigenous peoples to mainstream religious beliefs. Finally, religious discrimination has allegedly resulted, at least in one country, in the wilful burning of indigenous peoples’ temples, as well as in the inciting of hate campaigns. d. Political participation 34. Indigenous peoples throughout the region allegedly have been excluded from full participation in political life. Only a few States facilitate some such participation, through quotas or other means, although other countries have started to address the issue. Indigenous representatives suggest that, given that indigenous representation in legislative bodies and the exercise of legislative power to protect indigenous peoples have been limited, it has often been more effective for indigenous peoples to seek action by the executive and judicial branches of the State. Indigenous peoples are, however, taking initiatives to increase their participation in the creation, promotion and implementation of policies and practices in relation to the realization of their rights. Nonetheless, it was also noted that powerful positions at national, provincial and district levels are generally not held by indigenous peoples. 35. A general observation made by indigenous peoples was that, in contexts where political patronage plays a major role in local and national politics, it was important for traditional authorities to avoid being politicized and the distinction between electoral representation and traditional representation should be respected. In some contexts, local government officials were regarded as beholden to political parties and thus rendered ineffective in upholding community rights, especially in the context of central governmentauthorized projects. e. Customary justice 36. Indigenous peoples regard the exercise of their right to self-determination as contingent on their freedom to maintain, develop and engage their own legal systems. While some progress in recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights to resolve conflicts in accordance with customary laws has been made, the Special Rapporteur was informed that a lack of education of government agencies education about customary justice systems presents an obstacle to the use of customary laws and procedures for conflict resolution. IV. Conclusions and recommendations 37. In light of the information received during the Asia consultation, the Special Rapporteur respectfully submits a number of overarching conclusions and recommendations. He understand that many of the concerns raised at the consultation are already being addressed by the Governments concerned, and that there are a number of positive developments in the region that were not addressed during the 11