one-off affair. Human rights are an essential component of human protection (...). We are also promoting cross-cultural dialogue in situations of potential conflict through the UN's Alliance of Civilizations, and warning against rising intolerance and the politics of polarization... "1 MR. PRESIDENT, The evidences of the present "Project of recommendations on ensuring the rights of religious minorities" open. a positive, desired and finally consensual way on assuming measures. Under the auspices and chairmanship of the Committee of Human Rights of the United Nations, a relevant document will surely be issued, for which all delegations of the World, diplomats and contributors to this forum, deserve an applause. Thank you, Excellencies. The organization that I have the honor to represent, The International Association for the Defense of Religious Liberty (IADRL), has earned over time the international expertise in the defense of human rights and especially of freedom of religion and belief, and the defense of religious minorities. The Honorary Chairmen of our organization, starting with Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, as first president of honor and good family friend of our founder, Dr. Jean Nusbaum, and then Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Edgar Faure, Rene Cassin, Leopold Sklar Senghor, and Mary Robinson, all of them have fought for human rights, peace and respect in our world and have taught us useful lessons and practice on this topic. International Association for the Defense of Religious Liberty (IADRL) is ensuring that human rights and religious freedom have a view of equality and without discrimination to all; proposes measures and, whenever necessary, supports the efforts of governments, diplomats, religious scholars and other actors in favor of freedom of religion and belief, advises at different levels - international and regional - and cares about defending that legislative proposals at national and international level be inclusive for all categories of people and minorities; furthermore, it observes and monitors the implementation of the legislation and appropriate measures for the protection and guarantee of human rights for ALL. We believe that every person. has Dignity, rights and duties; fundamental freedoms and the States have the obligation to ensure the fundamental rights and freedoms among which the freedom of religion or belief is• . included. EVERYONE SHOULD BE RESPECTED IN SPITE OF THEIR DIFFERENCES. WhO are the religious- minorities? The Project of recommendations speaks of "a wide range of religious or belief communities, traditional and non-traditional,.recognized or not by the State, including religious or belief groups that are more recently established, both large and small communities" (paragraph 12). The following approach is very important: • "the rights of each individual member of these groups also must be fully respected" (paragraph 13). According to Dr. Shana Cohen, situations affecting our time and that relate to minorities are among others:     Misunderstanding the perspectives of "Other".  Tensions between the people of different religions and faith. False perception. regarding which religion, church or minority, have to be considered of "first" or "second class". • Religious sensitivities or sensitivity of "conflict language". And I would also add here the existence of a different . perspective of some governments on religious freedom and on minorities: "problem" or "solution" approach? UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-mcon, Selected Speeches. Extracts from: Cyril Foster Lecture at Oxford University: Hum an Protection and the 21's Century United Nations, see at: ht Jt)://www.un.orcilscilselected-speeches/stateinent_full.asp?statID=1064; the title and under titles are not part of Selected Speeches 2