A/HRC/13/40 I. Introduction 1. In December 2007, the Human Rights Council decided to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a further period of three years. In this context, the Human Rights Council, in its resolution 6/37, invited the mandate holder to: (a) promote the adoption of measures at the national, regional and international levels to ensure the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief; (b) identify existing and emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief and present recommendations on ways and means to overcome such obstacles; (c) continue her/his efforts to examine incidents and governmental actions that are incompatible with the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief and to recommend remedial measures as appropriate; and (d) continue to apply a gender perspective, inter alia, through the identification of gender-specific abuses, in the reporting process, including in information collection and in recommendations. 2. Since taking up her mandate in July 2004, the current Special Rapporteur has devoted her reports to a number of thematic issues associated with the mandate. These thematic analyses related to the question of conversion;1 the freedom of religion or belief of detainees;2 religious symbols;3 incitement to racial and religious hatred and the promotion of tolerance;4 religious intolerance and the rights of women;5 the adverse effects of some counter-terrorism measures on the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief;6 religious minorities and new religious movements;7 the situation of refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced persons;8 the situation of persons with atheistic or non-theistic beliefs;9 citizenship issues and religious discrimination in administrative procedures;10 discrimination based on religion or belief and its impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights;11 and the situation of persons in vulnerable situations as regards their ability to freely exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief.12 3. As the term of the current mandate holder will expire in July 2010, this will be her last general report to the Human Rights Council.13 The Special Rapporteur would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Member States for their cooperation and to particularly acknowledge the support of those Governments who invited her for an in situ visit. The work of the Special Rapporteur could not have been conducted without the constant support provided by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Above all, the Special Rapporteur would like to acknowledge the excellent services rendered by the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 A/60/399, paras. 40–68. Ibid., paras. 69–91. E/CN.4/2006/5, paras. 36–60. A/HRC/2/3. A/HRC/4/21, paras. 34–39. Ibid., paras. 40–42; see also her predecessor’s “Study on freedom of religion or belief and the status of women in the light of religion and traditions” (E/CN.4/2002/73/Add.2). A/HRC/4/21, paras. 43–47. A/62/280, paras. 38–63. Ibid., paras. 64–79. A/63/161, paras. 25–66. A/HRC/10/8, paras. 29–54. A/64/159, paras. 18–34. The procedure for nomination, selection and appointment of new mandate holders is detailed on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/ chr/special/nominations.htm). GE.09-17648