A/68/268 between those of different faith groups. She thanks the 32 States 5 that have responded to date and has sought to reflect elements of those responses in the present report. 21. The present report complements and supplements the excellent work undertaken by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, which has addressed challenges to freedom of religion experienced by religious minorities. The Independent Expert particularly welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (A/HRC/22/51), which addressed the protection of the freedom of religion or belief of persons belonging to religious minorities, with a focus on conceptual clarifications and violations — both multifaceted motives and settings of violations and specific areas of violations against religious minorities. 22. The Independent Expert participated in an expert seminar on enhancing the effectiveness of international, regional and national human rights mechanisms in protecting and promoting the rights of religious minorities, which was held at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy on 22 and 23 May 2012. The seminar was hosted by the Government of Austria and was organized with OHCHR as part of the activities marking the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration. 23. On 19 and 20 November 2012, the Independent Expert participated in an event in Doha on the theme “Reflections on the inclusion of human rights in the process of constitutional reforms in the region of the Middle East and North Africa”, organized by OHCHR. She highlighted the fact that implementation of the Declaration should be strengthened in the region and that strong provisions for minority rights in constitutions and national law are important components of protection. 24. The Independent Expert participated in a conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway on the theme “Right-wing Extremism and Hate Crime: Minorities under Pressure in Europe and Beyond”, held in Oslo on 14 and 15 May 2013. She shared her concerns about rising extremism and racism against religious minorities, including Muslims and Jews in Europe, and the need for increased protection of minorities who are often unable to effectively defend themselves without the active involvement and support of the State. 25. The Independent Expert held a two-day expert consultation in Geneva in June 2013, which addressed challenges and rights violations experienced by religious minorities. Participants included representatives of United Nations Member States and representatives of civil society organizations and religious minorities. The workshop identified national, regional and international laws, policies, programmes, initiatives and practices for the protection of the rights of religious minorities. 26. The Independent Expert adopts an inclusive approach to which groups fall within the scope of “religious minority”. She is guided by the Human Rights Committee’s General Comment 23 (50) (art. 27) which emphasizes that the existence of an ethnic, religious or linguistic minority in a given State party does not depend upon a decision by that State party but is required to be established by objective criteria (see CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.5, para. 5.2). She recognizes the right __________________ 5 13-41869 Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Denmark, Estonia, Guatemala, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand and Ukraine. 7/23