A/HRC/34/50/Add.1 The future of the Folkekirke 73. The Folkekirke in Denmark largely functions as a source of inclusiveness. It has embraced far-reaching State-induced reforms in the area of gender and sexuality, and the celebration of same-sex marriages in the Church has found broad approval in society. Many pastors support refugees irrespective of their religious background and stand up in public against xenophobia and Islamophobia. Moreover, the Folkekirke can bridge the widening gap between religious minorities, especially Muslims, and those large parts of the society who generally do not care much about religion and yet remain somewhat in touch with the Church. It is that very spirit of inclusiveness, however, that at the same time can — and should — encourage new initiatives of sharing the privileges that the Church has traditionally enjoyed. Those privileges can have discriminatory effects on other religious or non-religious groups and often make the members of those groups feel that they are second class, which can cause emotions of frustration and at times even humiliation. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur heard about fears that embarking on a course of disestablishment would eventually lead to a sectarian closure by which the Church would abandon its legacy of catering for the people in the broad sense. He does not think that these fears are justified. They betray mistrust in the attractiveness of an autonomous Church and at the same time play down dangers of utilizing a State-controlled Church for purposes of narrow versions of identity politics. Interpreting freedom of religion or belief in line with international standards 74. The Government must play a leading role in developing further a fair and inclusive Danish society in which members of different religious communities, as well as secular-oriented people, can equally feel at home. When doing so, the Government is naturally bound by the Danish Constitution enacted in 1849, including its article 67 on religious freedom. As mentioned in paragraph 5, article 67 should be seen in the light of European and international standards of freedom of religion or belief, which have much broader wordings. Some harsh statements made by leading politicians on the need to exercise more control over religious communities, in particular Muslim organizations, could indicate a shift backwards. It certainly has been perceived as such by members of religious minorities. According to European and international standards that Denmark has accepted, limitations on freedom of religion or belief, if deemed necessary, must meet a number of criteria, which are much more specific and strict than the general “good morals or public order” formula in article 67 of the Constitution. 75. Against this background, the Special Rapporteur would like to provide the following recommendations: (a) It is the responsibility of the Government to take the lead in developing a more inclusive understanding of Danish identity. This requires activities in various spheres of social life, including education, media politics, outreach activities, etc; (b) The Government should send clear and unambiguous messages that all people living in Denmark, including members of religious minorities, should feel safe and at home in the country. These messages should promptly and strongly counter the increasing idea that “Islam is a threat to Danish identity”; (c) In integration programmes, the Government should explore the dimensions of religious community life as a positive resource for strengthening intragroup and intergroup solidarity, while at the same time continuing to provide protection to every individual against undue external pressure; 19