Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief A/RES/67/178 Underlining also the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions or beliefs and of education in the promotion of tolerance, which involves the acceptance by the public of and its respect for religious and cultural diversity, including with regard to religious expression, and underlining further the fact that education, in particular at school, should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief, Recognizing that working together to enhance the implementation of existing legal regimes that protect individuals against discrimination and hate crimes, increase interfaith and intercultural efforts and expand human rights education is an important first step in combating incidents of intolerance, discrimination and violence against individuals on the basis of religion or belief, Welcoming the inauguration of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna, established on the basis of the purposes and principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 4 and acknowledging the important role that the Centre is expected to play as a platform for the enhancement of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, Welcoming also, in this regard, all international, regional and national initiatives aimed at promoting interreligious, intercultural and interfaith harmony and combating discrimination against individuals on the basis of religion or belief, including the launching of the Istanbul Process, and noting the recent initiative of the chairmanship of Albania of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe under the theme “United in diversity” and the holding of five regional workshops by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Austria, Chile, Kenya, Morocco and Thailand on related issues, Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on steps taken by States 1. to combat intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief; 5 2. Expresses deep concern at the continued serious instances of derogatory stereotyping, negative profiling and stigmatization of persons based on their religion or belief, as well as programmes and agendas pursued by extremist individuals, organizations and groups aimed at creating and perpetuating negative stereotypes about religious groups, in particular when condoned by Governments; Expresses concern that the number of incidents of religious intolerance, 3. discrimination and related violence, as well as of negative stereotyping of individuals on the basis of religion or belief, continues to rise around the world, which may have serious implications at the national, regional and international levels, condemns, in this context, any advocacy of religious hatred against individuals that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and urges States to take effective measures, as set forth in the present resolution and consistent with their obligations under international human rights law, to address and combat such incidents; Condemns any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to 4. discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audiovisual or electronic media or any other means; _______________ 4 5 Resolution 217 A (III). A/67/296. 3/5