A/68/268 international legal requirements for religious minorities contrasts sharply with the multiple restrictions that States impose and which even risk the viable continuity of religious minorities at the national level. 90. The Independent Expert considers that an appropriate venue for the elaboration of detailed recommendations on the rights of religious minorities is the Forum on Minority Issues, which will focus on the issues of religious minorities during its sixth session, in November 2013. The Forum will benefit from the participation of governmental and non-governmental actors and minority experts, and will provide an inclusive opportunity for discussion of the issues and elaboration of recommendations. 91. The Independent Expert provides the following broad recommendations to national Governments and the international community: (a) All States should fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities with due and dedicated attention to the situation of religious minorities present in the country. In accordance with the Declaration, attention to religious minorities should include, but go beyond, freedom of religion or belief. A minority rights-based approach is required that is comprehensive in scope and that recognizes that religious minorities may require special attention and positive measures to ensure the full enjoyment of their rights to non-discrimination and equality in all aspects of society — civil, cultural, economic, political and social; (b) The provisions of the Declaration should be translated by States into national legislation, and dedicated attention to religious minorities should be reflected in the national institutional frameworks for the protection of human rights, including line ministries and governmental departments, national human rights institutions and consultative bodies and mechanisms. Existing legislation should be reviewed to ensure that no provisions exist that are discriminatory or have a discriminatory impact, directly or indirectly, on persons belonging to religious minorities; (c) States must ensure that the national educational environment is welcoming and non-discriminatory for those belonging to religious minorities and that reasonable accommodation is provided for them to learn about their own religion, manifest their religion, participate in their religious holidays, and learn about the religions and beliefs of others. In conformity with the Declaration, States should, where appropriate, take measures to encourage the acquisition of knowledge about the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory; (d) States should undertake research and data-gathering exercises, including in the context of national census surveys, aimed at compiling detailed information on the demographic and socioeconomic situation of religious minorities in their country. Such data should be quantitative and qualitative in nature and include considerations of the situation of religious minorities relative to other members of society. It should have the objective of providing a comprehensive mapping of religious communities, their situations and the challenges affecting them, and it should be carried out in consultation with and the voluntary participation of minorities; 22/23 13-41869