E/CN.4/2002/73/Add.2 page 57 on or imputed to religion since debate is not possible in such circumstances. From the standpoint of the victims of such discrimination, our behaviour may not appear as respectable as we would wish.293 236. The present study has shown that many cultural practices—in some instances similar or comparable and in others different—exist among several peoples with equally varied religious traditions. Several such practices conflict with religion. Many religions have opposed cultural practices that are injurious to women’s status. They have succeeded in abolishing them or showing the way forward in limiting their abuses by regulating some of those practices and tolerating others, but in every case taking account of social pressures and constraints in both time and space.294 In order to take into consideration not only this momentum initiated and spurred by religions but also the interaction between cultures and of cultures and religions and thus the imperative of universality of women’s rights, the commitment of States and the international community is essential. 237. Any policy has to take culture into account. It is possible to change negative cultural practices, whether or not they have a religious basis, without undermining the cultural diversity of peoples or the imperative of universality of human rights. But it must be borne in mind that the task is especially arduous since it entails challenging not only laws, regulations or policies but often also cultural practices whose origins are rooted in the collective memory and in the deep-seated ancient beliefs of peoples, including women, and such harmful practices, although often in conflict with religions, are sometimes perpetuated in the name of religion or imputed to religion. 238. Not all traditions are of equal value and those which run counter to human rights have to be combated. A distinction should be made between necessary tolerance and blindness to customs which can amount to degrading treatment or to clear violations of human rights. In order that freedom of religion does not conflict with women’s rights, it is essential that the right to be different, which that freedom implies, is not construed as a right to be indifferent to women’s status. For, as Eleanor Roosevelt295 said, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home”.