A/HRC/22/51 I. Introduction 1. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief was created by Commission on Human Rights resolution 1986/20 and renewed by Human Rights Council resolution 6/37. On 18 June 2010, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 14/11 and subsequently appointed Heiner Bielefeldt as the mandate holder as from 1 August 2010. 2. In chapter II, the Special Rapporteur gives a brief overview of his activities since the submission of his previous report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/19/60). The Special Rapporteur focuses in chapter III on the protection of freedom of religion or belief of persons belonging to religious minorities. In chapter IV, he provides conclusions in this regard and addresses recommendations to various stakeholders. II. Activities of the Special Rapporteur 3. The Special Rapporteur has conducted various activities pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 6/37, 14/11 and 19/8. In this chapter, he presents a brief overview of his mandate activities from 1 December 2011 to 30 November 2012. A. Country visit 4. Since the submission of his previous report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur has undertaken a country visit to Cyprus, from 29 March to 5 April 2012. He appreciates the cooperation and information provided by all his interlocutors and officials before, during and after his visit. He encourages all stakeholders to consider his recommendations and cooperate with each other in the implementation of the recommendations provided in the mission report (A/HRC/22/51/Add.1). 5. During the reporting period, the Special Rapporteur has sent country visit requests to the Governments of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam. He is grateful for the invitation extended by the Government of Viet Nam to conduct a visit in 2013. B. Communications 6. The Special Rapporteur continues to receive many complaints about human rights violations perpetrated against individuals and groups from various religious or belief backgrounds. These allegations include physical attacks, arbitrary detention and involuntary disappearances of individuals belonging to religious minorities or belief communities, “apostasy” and “blasphemy” charges against converts or dissidents, public manifestations of religious intolerance and stigmatization of persons based on their religion or belief, and attacks on places of worship and religious sites, such as cemeteries or monuments of other historical and cultural value. In addition, there are reports of individuals being deported from some States to their country of origin where they may face religious persecution and serious punishment. There are also concerns about forced conversion, targeting members of some religious minorities. 3