Tolerance and Non-discrimination majority. Throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States and elsewhere, registration rules and procedures continue to be systematically abused to infringe on the rights of entire faith communities. k Education: Since hate-motivated crime is often the result of negative stereotypes, often passed on from generation to generation, educational efforts aimed at promoting respect and diversity can help eliminate such attitudes. While a number of participating States have undertaken such efforts, more long-term and coherent approaches are needed to have a real impact. Activities Just how widespread is the problem of discrimination? How frequently are hate crimes committed? Where do they occur, and who are the victims? What steps are being taken by law enforcement agencies and by governments? Answers to such basic questions are needed before anyone can make a serious effort to combat hate in all its manifestations. For that reason, one of the most important parts of the Throughout 2005, the ODIHR collected statistics, legislation, and information on practical initiatives from OSCE participating States, inter-governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and other specialized bodies in order to develop an online library and information system. By the end of the year, this system included the following three databases: k Documents such as action plans, government reports, and country reports from inter-governmental organizations; k Information about practical initiatives to combat intolerance and discrimination; and k Information about partner organizations, NGOs, specialized bodies, etc. This information system will be made publicly available in the course of 2006. 66 ODIHR’s work in this field is its role as a collection point for relevant information, including statistics from states and police agencies, as well as examples of good practices from a wide variety of sources, including governmental and non-governmental organizations. The collection and analysis of such information has allowed the ODIHR to identify where good practices exist and where there are gaps in implementation of OSCE commitments related to tolerance and non-discrimination. This knowledge is the foundation for all the ODIHR’s activities in this field and has provided the basis for its ability to offer states and NGOs technical assistance, expert-to-expert training, and opportunities to exchange information and best practices. It has also provided the basis for the creation of regional partnerships and the development of joint strategies that recognize hate-motivated crimes and acts for what they are: namely, a problem that is not confined within borders and that demands an international response. In many cases, the ODIHR’s role has been simply to bring individuals and organizations together; in others, the ODIHR has played a larger role in developing methodologies, conducting training, carrying out research, and writing and disseminating reports and publications. The result is a collection of technical tools and assistance programmes that help governments, law enforcement agencies, and educators, as well as broader civil society, including organizations and concerned individuals, to combat intolerance and to promote the ideals of mutual respect and understanding. In 2005, activities were conducted in the following four areas in particular: k Improving responses to hate crimes; k Developing educational tools; k Supporting civil society; and k Promoting freedom of religion or belief. I. Improving responses to hate crimes Data collection One of the major obstacles to combating hate crime is the lack of accurate statistics in many ANNUAL REPORT 2005