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Witnesses, Ahmadi and humanists or non-believers. Particular attention was also
given to the beliefs of indigenous peoples.
102. The Special Rapporteur must point out that the dividing line between this
second category of communities and the “major religions” is not always clear,
inasmuch as some communities can be classified, depending on who is doing the
classifying — the person concerned or external observers — as either a variant of a
major religion or as a separate religion, or even as a belief or organization with
goals unrelated to any religion or belief. For instance, the Ahmadi claim to be
Muslims and are recognized as such in some countries, including Bangladesh, but
are denied such recognition in Pakistan. Similarly, the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to
be part of the Christian community and are recognized as being part of it in several
States but are termed a sect by other States. Scientology is the most polemical
example insofar as it calls itself a religion, is viewed as such for tax purposes in the
United States, but is called a sect or even a criminal organization in certain other
States, especially in Europe.
103. In terms of the evolution of violations affecting religions or beliefs,
Christianity seems to be the most affected, quantitatively; it is followed by the
category called “other communities of religion or belief”, that is to say especially
minorities or minority groups, including sects; and by Islam, Buddhism, Judaism
and Hinduism.
104. Of course these evolutions must be viewed in the context of the mandate
concerning freedom of religion or belief and the limits thereof (due to its very
modest resources, coverage, while not selective, is limited to the main violations of
freedom of religion or belief).
105. Having made this classification and analysis, it is clear that no religion or
belief is sheltered from violations and that no State or category of States, no religion
or belief has a monopoly on intolerance.
106. The evolution in the substance of communications, that is to say, the major
trends noted since the start of the mandate, will be reflected in the context of the
conclusions of this report.
III. Report on preventive action concerning freedom of religion
or belief
107. The Special Rapporteur considers that it is essential to continue paying
particular attention to traditional activities as regards the management of the
mandate but that it is also necessary to establish preventive activities, through
education and interreligious dialogue.
A.
International consultative conference on school education
in relation to freedom of religion or belief, tolerance
and non-discrimination
108. Since he took over, the Special Rapporteur has felt that preventive action
should focus on shaping a culture of human rights, inter alia, by using education.
Indeed, education can contribute decisively to the internalization of values based on
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