E/CN.4/2000/65 page 46 (c) The maintenance of policies and practices of intolerance and discrimination against certain communities, particularly ethno-religious communities, within the framework of essentially political conflicts; (d) The pursuit of policies, legislation and practices hostile to religious minorities in countries with an official religion or where a majority of the population belongs to one faith; (e) The upsurge of intolerant and discriminatory policies and practices directed against “sects or new religious movements”; (f) objection. The maintenance of policies, legislation and practices opposed to conscientious 175. The third tendency to draw attention to is the persistence of discrimination and acts of intolerance attributed to religion affecting women; this tendency, which is derived from legislation, personal status and interpretations thereof, traditions, society and so-called religious extremism, is fostered by both State and non-State organizations. Lastly, there is a tendency towards a persistence of intolerance by society and intolerance by the State. 176. In order to deal with a situation which may be considered on the whole alarming with regard to tolerance and non-discrimination based on religion or belief, the Special Rapporteur believes that in addition to the daily “management” of such phenomena through communications, urgent appeals and in situ visits, there is a vital need for prevention, as the only way of escaping from the vicious circle of violations of freedom of religion and belief. Such prevention must be supported mainly by education and inter-religious dialogue. 177. With regard to education, in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the World Conference on Human Rights reaffirmed “that States are duty-bound, as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and in other international human rights instruments, to ensure that education is aimed at strengthening the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The World Conference on Human Rights emphasizes the importance of incorporating the subject of human rights education programmes and calls upon States to do so. Education should promote understanding, tolerance, peace and friendly relations between the nations and all racial or religious groups and encourage the development of United Nations activities in pursuance of these objectives. Therefore, education on human rights and the dissemination of proper information, both theoretical and practical, play an important role in the promotion and respect of human rights with regard to all individuals without distinction of any kind such as race, sex, language or religion, and this should be integrated in the education policies at the national as well as international levels.”