text: considered dissident. Such practices infringed on human rights in the fields of education, housing, employment and -when they took the form of the murder of adherents of certain religions -even on the right to life. 23. It must be borne in mind that any violation of the right to freedom of religion was also a serious breach of the relevant international instruments. Her delegation regretted that such manifestations of intolerance and discrimination were perpetrated by Governments which had signed and ratified the human-rights instruments in force. Accordingly, every State and the international community as a whole should adopt urgent measures with a view to ensuring the implementation of the applicable principles in that field, including measures in the constitutional, legislative, judicial, administrative, educational and cultural spheres. In addition to protecting legally recognized rights, such measures should help to create a climate conducive to religious understanding and tolerance. The adoption ; ... A/C.3/39/SR.48 English Page 7 (Mrs. Lomonaco, Italy) of measures relating to education and to the mass media was particularly necessary, since intolerance was often based on religious prejudice and certain related attitudes which must be eradicated. In that regard, it was essential that children should be embued with religious awareness and tolerance. 24. Her delegation welcomed the progress made by certain countries in achieving a better balance between lay society and religious communities in a climate of freedom and participation. She noted as well that Italy had recently signed a number of important agreements with the Holy See and the waldensian and Methodist churches and had ratified all international human-rights instruments. As a result of its very advanced legislation in the field of freedom of religion, Italy guaranteed the protection of religious minorities through constitutional measures, administrative practices and judicial decisions. 25. Although certain periods in Italy's history had been characterized by conflict 
analysis: The text discusses the importance of protecting human rights, particularly in the fields of education, housing, employment, and freedom of religion. It highlights the need for measures to be taken to ensure the implementation of relevant international instruments and to create a climate conducive to religious understanding and tolerance. The text also mentions specific examples of countries that have made progress in achieving a better balance between lay society and religious communities.