Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief A/RES/68/169 Reaffirming that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, Reaffirming also that violence can never be an acceptable response to acts of intolerance on the basis of religion or belief, Welcoming Human Rights Council resolutions 16/18 of 24 March 2011 2 and 22/31 of 22 March 2013 3 and General Assembly resolution 67/178 of 20 December 2012, Deeply concerned about incidents of intolerance, discrimination and violence against persons based on their religion or belief in all regions of the world, Deploring any advocacy of discrimination or violence on the basis of religion or belief, Strongly deploring all acts of violence against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, as well as any such acts directed against their homes, businesses, properties, schools, cultural centres or places of worship, Strongly deploring, further, all attacks on and in religious places, sites and shrines in violation of international law, in particular human rights law and international humanitarian law, including any deliberate destruction of relics and monuments, Concerned about actions that wilfully exploit tensions or target individuals on the basis of their religion or belief, Expressing deep concern at the instances of intolerance, discrimination and acts of violence occurring in the world, including cases motivated by discrimination against persons belonging to religious minorities, in addition to the negative projection of the followers of religions and the enforcement of measures that specifically discriminate against persons on the basis of religion or belief, Expressing concern at the growing manifestations of intolerance based on religion or belief which can generate hatred and violence among individuals from and within different nations and which may have serious implications at the national, regional and international levels, and in this regard emphasizing the importance of respect for religious and cultural diversity, as well as interreligious, interfaith and intercultural dialogue aimed at promoting a culture of tolerance and respect among individuals, societies and nations, Recognizing the valuable contribution of people of all religions or beliefs to humanity and the contribution that dialogue among religious groups can make towards an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all humankind, Underlining the fact that States, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and the media have an important role to play in promoting tolerance and respect for religious and cultural diversity and in the universal promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, Underlining also the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions or beliefs and of education in the promotion of tolerance, which __________________ 2 3 2/5 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/66/53), chap. II, sect. A. Ibid., Sixty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/68/53), chap. IV, sect. A.