A/HRC/37/26 affiliation. Such data were crucial to highlighting the vulnerability of different population groups, including those that faced multiple forms of discrimination, and enabling legislators and policymakers to establish targeted programmes. Census questions should allow for open and multiple responses that enabled respondents to self-identify according to their national, ethnic, religious and linguistic affiliation, including multiple identities (see A/HRC/34/53/Add.3, para. 75). V. Conclusions 53. In the year of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, patterns of discrimination and incitement to racial or religious hatred and violence, particularly against ethnic or religious minorities, have been recurrent. 54. It is imperative to renew the commitment to minority rights and to take action to protect those rights both in law and in practice. That commitment should translate into strengthened legislative and institutional frameworks for minority rights protection at the country level, in line with the principles of the Declaration. There is a need to enlarge civic space for minority rights advocacy and to make sure that efforts by human rights defenders to invoke minority rights in international or domestic contexts are supported. 55. As is recognized in the preamble to the Declaration, the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States. It is essential that the principles contained in the Declaration are also embedded in conflict prevention and in efforts to prevent violent extremism. 56. Respect for religious diversity and religious dialogue will contribute to fostering peaceful societies, including the right of all persons belonging to minorities to defend their freedom of religion or belief and their right to participate equally and effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life. 57. Advancing minority rights also requires reflection on the importance of investing in minority youth to contribute to harmonious societies that value cultural differences and the participation of all, and their contribution to peace and stability. 58. Furthermore, minority rights must be respected in order to meet the commitment in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of leaving no one behind. More disaggregated data on minority groups need to be collected in order to build effective, evidence-based policies. The participation of minorities in decisionmaking at all levels demands greater efforts, including in economic decision-making, in order to reduce inequalities. 14