A/HRC/13/40/Add.2 Summary The present report contains the findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on her mission to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, from 26 to 29 April 2009. The Special Rapporteur gives an overview of the international human rights standards, domestic legal framework on freedom of religion or belief and religious demography in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Subsequently, she highlights issues of concern for her mandate with regard to religious instruction in primary schools, religious symbols, places of worship, incitement to religious hatred and the application of the 2007 Law on the Legal Status of a Church, a Religious Community and a Religious Group. The Special Rapporteur concludes that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious society. She welcomes the regular interfaith meetings held at the domestic level as well as the Government’s initiative in organizing the 2007 World Conference on Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations. However, some issues of concern remain to be addressed and the recent domestic debate on contentious issues, such as religious instruction in primary schools, shows the risk that these issues may be used to divide and polarize the different communities. The Special Rapporteur reminds those religious leaders and politicians who publicly voiced their outrage of the judgement of the Constitutional Court of 15 April 2009 concerning religious instruction in public schools that an independent judiciary was crucial to safeguard freedom of religion or belief and, ultimately, as a foundation for democratic governance. To foster a climate of religious tolerance, political and religious leaders should take a human rightsbased approach and clearly affirm the importance of the right to freedom of religion or belief in all its dimensions. In addition to legislation, States have several tools at their disposal to counter religious intolerance, for example by giving space for dialogue, encouraging public figures to make statements denouncing acts of intolerance and providing quality education. The Special Rapporteur stresses that the rule of law and the functioning of democratic institutions are prerequisites for the effectiveness of these strategies, which seek to encourage real dialogue and understanding. 2