A/68/268 When religious minority characteristics, affiliations or values are represented stereotypically in the media, the right of reply would allow the religious minorities concerned to challenge singular stereotypes and open up the debate. This is necessary not only for minority rights, but also for respect, harmony and coexistence in society at large. It can also ease community relations and promote understanding at the national and international levels. It can prevent misunderstandings from escalating and from racist political groups from exploiting such stereotypes. 76. Too often the media regrettably falls short of required norms and sometimes plays a negative role. Nevertheless, the media can play a significant role in overcoming derogatory stereotyping, negative profiling and stigmatization of persons based on their religion or belief, which is essential in order to ensure understanding and respect of those various groups. Positive examples include the production of factual programmes about and by religious minorities, positive news, and debate and discussion during prime viewing hours. 10. Consultation with minorities 77. For States to be able to fulfil their obligations under international human rights provisions, a first step must be for them to consult directly with the religious minorities. The most obvious reason for consultation lies in their very diversity. One of the very rationales of minority rights is that of disparate impact. A State may treat all its population equally, but this can result in serious negative consequences for religious minorities whose distinctive characteristics may require specific provisions, for example with regard to worship requirements, matters of conscience, dress or diet. Without including religious minorities in questions and decisions that concern them, their issues cannot be taken into consideration. Consultation with minorities constitutes a core requirement of human rights standards, including the Declaration. 78. Consultation must not be restricted to religious or community leaders who may constitute a frequently male and older profile, but should wherever possible include women, youth and others. Detailed knowledge of religious and belief minorities and consultation with them is required to facilitate their engagement in public life. Understanding the worldviews of religious minorities, their motivations and communitarian ideals, facilitates their inclusion in leadership positions, the media, the rank of the State’s educationalists and role models, political and other public figures, lawyers, human rights defenders and armed forces. 11. Security and protection for religious minorities 79. The Independent Expert is deeply concerned by rising tides of violent attacks against religious minorities in all regions. Underlying the full enjoyment of rights by religious minorities is the imperative of the enjoyment of security. Article 1 of the Declaration requires that States shall protect the existence of minorities. The primary duty of States in relation to religious minorities is to protect their fundamental rights and security and ensure that State actors themselves are not contributing to the insecurity of those minorities. 80. Protection of the security of religious minorities requires numerous positive actions on the part of States, particularly in situations of ongoing conflict or in which tensions are heightened or historic conflicts or grievances have occurred. Such actions include active engagement with religious minorities, full understanding of their situations and security concerns, the monitoring of non-State actors that 13-41869 19/23