A/68/268 resolution 19/8 on freedom of religion or belief, which emphasizes the responsibility of all States to promote and protect the rights of religious minorities. It highlights the fact that frequently they are adversely affected by negative stereotypes and face violence and the impact of religious extremism. It condemns violence and acts of terrorism and calls on States to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator. It urges States to promote, through the educational system and other means, mutual understanding, tolerance, non-discrimination and respect in all matters relating to freedom of religion or belief by encouraging a wider knowledge of the history, traditions, languages and cultures of religious minorities. D. Essential elements of a minority rights-based approach to protection of the rights of religious minorities 41. Based on the four pillars of minority rights concern — protection of existence, protection and promotion of identity, non-discrimination and equality, and participation in public life — the Independent Expert highlights below a number of issues with regard to the rights of religious minorities and areas of concern that require particular attention by States, regional bodies and the international human rights regime. Those issues are not exhaustive, and space constraints preclude a full discussion. 1. Mapping, understanding and gathering data on religious minorities 42. To respond appropriately to the rights and needs of religious minorities requires a comprehensive knowledge of religious diversity and minority communities. However, information suggests that many States are not well aware of the picture of their religious minorities and lack a full understanding of their numerical size, distribution, socioeconomic conditions relative to other groups, and the challenges that their members face. A full picture of the religious and belief diversity relies primarily on self-identification by concerned persons. It should include all religions, not only those listed in the constitution, specified in a closed list by the Government, or recognized by the theology or ideology to which the State associates itself. 43. A full picture requires up-to-date disaggregated data, research by national statistical bodies, academia or civil society actors. This should be updated regularly in order to pick up on changes to birth rates, migration flows and patterns of belief. Research should be sophisticated enough to reveal the different situations of women, young people and others who may face particular challenges. It should include beliefs as well as religions. As a basic minimum standard, regular census surveys should include voluntary questions on religion that allow individuals to self-identify and that provide a valuable resource for deeper statistical analysis. 44. The reality of minorities within minorities and the centrality of self-definition should not be neglected. Religious minorities may be characterized by both unity and diversity, by obedience and solidarity, as well as by multiple and emerging histories. Diversities of nomenclatures, self-ascriptions of terms to describe the group or its practices, the multiplicity of groups that share holy figures or sites of significance, those all need to be acknowledged. The complexity of arising issues cannot be ignored away. Further, the ignorance of the public at large regarding the 13-41869 11/23