Tolerance and Non-discrimination OSCE participating States have undertaken an extensive range of commitments to combat racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance, including against Muslims, Christians and followers of other religions. Despite this, violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms continue to threaten stability and security throughout the OSCE region. Accordingly, ODIHR works with participating States and a broad network of non-governmental bodies to defend freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief and to eliminate manifestations of intolerance, in order to build cohesive communities in which diversity and pluralism are seen as assets to democratic and pluralistic societies. Main Issues Hate-Motivated Crimes and Violent Manifestations of Intolerance According to the annual ODIHR report on hate crime published in 2010, there continued to be numerous instances of hate-motivated intimidation, threats, vandalism, assault, arson and murder throughout the OSCE region in 2009. As in previous years, the report also stressed that the full extent of hate crimes remains obscured by a lack of reliable data. Hate on the Internet The prevalence of manifestations of hate on the Internet and its potential impact on behaviour and attitudes is a matter of concern throughout the OSCE region. ODIHR has convened a series of expert meetings bringing together government officials and representatives from civil society and social-network providers to explore ways to address this issue. Freedom of Religion or Belief In the OSCE area, freedom of religion or belief is connected to a wide range of complex issues, such as the status of religious or belief communities, the relationship between these communities and states, the autonomy of religious or belief communities, and the transposition of international norms and standards into domestic legal and administrative frameworks. It is also tied to other questions, such as those relating to religious education, to the right to express and disseminate religious beliefs, the relationship between freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief, and the issue of religious symbols. Challenging Biases and Prejudices through Education Since negative stereotypes are frequently the cause of hate-motivated crime, educational efforts that combat racism and intolerance, promote mutual respect and understanding, and foster an appreciation of cultural, religious 46 ODIHR Annual Report 2010