A/65/207 Interim report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Summary The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir, submits the present report to the General Assembly pursuant to its resolution 64/164, in which the Assembly, inter alia, urged States to step up their efforts to protect and promote freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief. In this context, the Special Rapporteur illustrates some issues of concern and provides examples from her mandate practice over the past six years. The issues covered in the present report include (a) adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief for all without distinction; (b) deprivation of the right to life, liberty or security of person because of religion or belief, and cases of torture and arbitrary arrest or detention; (c) women and freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief; (d) non-discrimination, inter alia regarding access to education, medical care, employment, humanitarian assistance or social benefits; (e) registration practices; (f) official documents and information on religious affiliation; (g) right to worship, assemble or teach in connection with a religion or belief; (h) religious places, sites, shrines and symbols; (i) religious, charitable or humanitarian institutions; (j) awareness-raising, education or training for public officials and civil servants; (k) combating hatred, discrimination, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation, coercion and incitement to hostility and violence; (l) promotion of understanding, tolerance, non-discrimination and respect in the society at large; and (m) signs of intolerance that may lead to discrimination. The Special Rapporteur also gives an overview of the activities carried out under the mandate since the submission of her previous report to the General Assembly (A/64/159), including communications sent to States concerning individual cases, country visits and other activities of the mandate holder. The Special Rapporteur concludes that religious issues are particularly sensitive and that States play a very delicate role in promoting freedom of religion or belief as well as in protecting people from abuse in the name of religion or belief. She stresses that all human rights violations must be adequately addressed, regardless of the religious affiliation of the perpetrator or the victim. The Special Rapporteur also reaffirms the need for the mandate to continue highlighting discriminatory practices that women have had and continue to suffer, sometimes in the name of religion or belief. 2 10-47047