6th session of the Forum on Minority Issues IV. Promotion and protection of the identity of religious minorities Permanent Mission of Brazil Ms chairwoman The Brazilian constitution protects the freedom of religion and belief, it protects the right of any person to freely profess the religion of his or her choice, and prohibits incitement or hatred discrimination based inter (…) on religious grounds as for seen in article 19 and 20 of the ICCPR. Brazil strongly rejects acts of intolerance or incitement to religious or ethnic hatred. We are deeply concerned about increasing cases of discrimination which target individuals for their religion in different parts of the world. Both in developed and in developing countries. This includes members of the (…) faith of the religions of African origin and the enemy groups, as well as Christians and Muslims. The followers of these religions remain victims of human rights violations, violence and abuse. As enshrined in article 27 of the ICCPR, persons belonging to ethnic religious or linguistic minorities shall not be denied their right to enjoy their own cult, profess and practice their religion and to use their own language. Brazil takes note with appreciation of the draft recommendations on guaranteeing the rights of religious minorities, prepared by the independent expert on minority issues. We concord with the expert in that all states should fully implement the declaration on the right of persons belonging to national ethnic, and linguistic minorities. Which establishes the responsibilities of states of ensuring the protection of identity of religious minorities. Thank you.