A/HRC/13/40/Add.2 often overlap and the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is another case in point. 51. The country’s diversity is one of its strengths and the Special Rapporteur welcomes the fact that interfaith meetings are held regularly at the domestic level. Furthermore, the Government’s initiative in organizing the October 2007 World Conference on Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations is another indication of its commitment to enhance freedom of religion or belief. At the conference, spiritual leaders and representatives of the religious communities and denominations from 50 different countries adopted a final declaration on the contribution of religion and culture to peace, mutual respect and cooperation.28 The participants stated that the creation of broad inter-civilization cooperation, based on the principles of mutual respect and esteem, may contribute to the creation of preconditions for understanding other religions. They strongly condemned all forms of religious violence and its justification. Dialogue, mutual understanding and respect pointed to the need to mobilize political and spiritual leaders, intellectuals and all other social actors. Therefore, the commitment to dialogue among different civilizations and religions was at the same time a commitment against terrorism and instability. Finally, the participants stressed the high importance of the empowerment of women. 52. However, some issues of concern remain to be addressed in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (see paras. 23-48 above). Shortly before the Special Rapporteur’s visit in April 2009, several contentious issues arose in the domestic public debate, for example concerning religious instruction in primary schools, the wearing of religious symbols and the construction of places of worship. There is a risk that these issues may be used to divide and polarize the different communities. The Special Rapporteur wishes to remind all actors that religion should not be used to separate the country’s society. 53. In addition, the Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize that, according to the Constitution, religious communities are separate from the State and equal before the law. In view of these constitutional provisions and related obligations under international human rights law, the Government has a delicate role to play: it must ensure that the principles of equality and non-discrimination are upheld and, at the same time, it must allow autonomy to religious communities. It must also have an even-handed approach when granting official status to all communities and yet protect the rights of all individuals, whether they are theistic, atheistic or non-theistic believers. A number of the Special Rapporteur’s interlocutors pointed to the perception that the Macedonian Orthodox Church and the Islamic community wield considerable political influence, and that these two largest registered religious communities in the country were able to make inroads to the constitutional concept of separation of State and religion. They also voiced their concern that the links between religion, politics and nationalism were increasingly being stressed in public debate. 54. Governments have a primary obligation to protect individuals from acts of religious intolerance and discrimination. An informed public opinion needs to be created through monitoring as well as advocacy of human rights. Civil society can also contribute to create awareness on human rights issues, including those concerning freedom of religion or belief. According to the Special Rapporteur’s experience throughout her mandate, legislation alone cannot create an atmosphere of social harmony and mutual trust. On the contrary, hasty legislation on matters of freedom of religion or belief may even lead to polarizing society along religious lines. 28 Available online at the address www.wcdarc-ohrid.org. 17