E/CN.4/1988/45 page 25 IV. FUTURE ACTIVITIES FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF 53. For more than 20 years now, the preparation of an international convention on the elimination of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief has been under discussion within the competent United Nations bodies. While some concrete progress was achieved during the 1960s in the formulation of a draft convention, the complexity and sensitivity of the issues raised led to the decision, in 1972, to grant priority to the preparation of a declaration on the subject. 54. It is true, as pointed out by the Special Rapporteur in his initial report, that the international system already has a number of mandatory norms in the area of freedom of religion or belief, particularly the relevant provisions of the International Covenants on Human Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. Ill), 1958, of the International Labour Organisation and the Convention Against Discrimination in Education of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 55. However, the Special Rapporteur considers that, in the light of the incidents which have come to his attention, demonstrating the persistence of the problem of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief, the preparation of an international instrument dealing specifically with the elimination of this phenomenon would have undeniable advantages. The adoption of a convention would give a broader and more profound dimension to existing concepts by expanding the scope of religious rights and freedoms in their practical manifestations. Moreover, the mandatory nature of the provisions of such an instrument would impose on States Parties a number of requirements, such as the submission of reports on the application of its provisions, which might encourage greater respect for religious rights and freedoms by such States. 56. For the purpose of elaborating such a convention, the international community might usefully draw upon the principles laid down in the 1981 Declaration, as well as on the practical experience acquired in recent years through the procedure introduced by the Commission on Human Rights in this regard. 57. The establishment, within the Commission on Human Rights, of an open-ended working group to consider the possibility of preparing a convention therefore seems altogether desirable, and such a group should be able to count on broad participation by both States, non-governmental organizations and religious denominations. 58. It is, however, clear that the preparation of a convention on such a complex and delicate subject is not something which can be quickly achieved; consequently, at the same time it establishes such a working group, the Commission on Human Rights should endeavour to maintain its vigilance and continue to apply the procedure it has introduced with a view to monitoring and, if possible, reducing incidents and measures inconsistent with the provisions of the 1981 Declaration.