Minority rights-based approaches to the protection and promotion of the rights of religious minorities 2013, para. 84
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The Independent Expert is convinced of the usefulness of the role of minority rights protection and dedicated minority rights mechanisms in the prevention of conflict and the promotion of social stability. This is also enshrined in the Preamble of the Declaration, which reads "the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States". States have an obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator. Failure to do so often leads to repeated and more severe violations.