A/68/268 dominant State religion, minorities may feel that such justice bodies are inappropriate to their needs, especially where national laws discriminate against them. Religiously diverse societies should take steps to ensure that religious minorities are represented in law enforcement bodies and the judiciary and that, where appropriate, training or special judicial mechanisms that meet the needs of religious minorities are put in place. 54. In numerous States, the recognition of a number of personal status law codes locks religious minorities into systems of laws that may have negative implications for the enjoyment of their rights. Such laws may not allow them, for example, to marry outside their religion. They may oblige them to accept the polygamy of their partner, and they may disinherit them should one of their siblings choose to convert into a particular religion. Such laws may rob them of the opportunity to gain custody of their children on grounds of their remarriage, or their children might automatically be taken away from them at particular ages if they are divorced. Some laws may give religious minorities no option to apply for divorce or may force them to make enormous financial sacrifices in order to obtain a divorce. 55. All of the above might be forced upon them on the grounds that it is “respectful” of the laws of their religion, but may do so without asking them what their religion or belief is, how they interpret it and which legal system they ascribe to. Most worryingly, it may do so without giving them any opportunity for a civil alternative, any option for exit from such legal provisions and, indeed, no opportunity for adopting or changing their religion or belief. The State should not only be mindful of these vast arenas of discrimination, which may indeed have a coercive impact on the freedom to hold religion or belief, 11 but needs to ensure that it fulfils its due diligence obligations with respect to all such violations. This includes obligations with respect to violations that may result from the actions of non-State actors, 12 and violations that may primarily occur in the private sphere. 5. Women and girls belonging to religious minority communities 56. Women frequently experience multiple or intersecting forms of discrimination emanating from their status as members of religious minorities and as women or girls. This may make women and girls belonging to religious minorities particularly vulnerable to violations of their rights in both public and private life. 13 Women from religious minorities are often particularly poorly represented in public, economic and political life, and efforts should be made to encourage and facilitate their participation and integration in all walks of life. 57. Barriers to the full enjoyment of their rights may exist owing both to discrimination in wider society and to factors such as strictly defined gender roles within minority communities. Recent debates regarding the accommodation of religious dress, particularly for women in the workplace, have had an impact on the ability of some minority women to access labour markets or even public services. __________________ 11 12 13 14/23 Article 18, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that no one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. Communications reports of Special Procedures, A/HRC/22/67, p. 25, KGZ4/2012, regarding alleged destruction, arson attack and looting of a religious centre by mobs. Communications reports of Special Procedures, A/HRC/23/51, p. 62, IRQ1/2013, regarding alleged abduction of a minor girl, forced marriage and forced conversion. 13-41869