Executive Summary: "Incitement to violence that targets communities or individuals based on their identity can contribute to enabling or preparing atrocity crimes, (genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity), and is both a warning sign and early indicator of the risk of those crimes . Monitoring, preventing and countering incite- ment to violence, particularly in societies divided along identity lines and in situations where tensions are high, can contribute to prevention efforts . States have the primary responsibility to protect popu- lations from atrocity crimes, as well as their incitement, but other actors can and should play a role . Religious leaders and actors can play a particularly influential role, as they have the potential to influence the behaviour of those who follow them and share their beliefs . Given that religion has been misused to justify incitement to violence, it is vital that religious leaders from all faiths show leadership in this matter . The process that led to the development of the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes, known as the ?Fez Process”, stemmed from the need to better understand, articulate and encourage the potential of religious leaders to prevent incitement and the violence that it can lead to, and to integrate the work of religious leaders within broader efforts to prevent atrocity crimes . The ?Fez Process” refers to a series of consultations, organised by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect between April 2015 and December 2016, with religious leaders, faith-based and secular organizations, regional organi- zations and subject matter experts from all regions of the world . The recommendations contained in the Plan of Action were developed by the religious leaders and actors who participated in these consultations . They are relevant not only to situations where there is a risk of atrocity crimes, but also to other contexts, including the protection of human rights, the prevention of vio- lent extremism and the prevention of conflict . As efforts to prevent atrocity crimes and their incite- ment are most likely to succeed when different actors are working in collaboration, the Plan of Action also includes recommendations for other actors, including States and state institutions and civil society, includ- ing new and traditional media . The Plan of Action is founded on human rights principles, in particular the right to freedom of expression and opinion, freedom of religion and belief and the right of peaceful assembly . The Plan of Action contains three main clusters of recommendations that aim to prevent , strengthen and build . Each cluster includes recommendations that are organised according to thematic focus . It is recommended that, under the stewardship of the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, this Plan of Action is imple- mented at regional, national and local levels . For a com- prehensive implementation of the Plan of Action, it is recommended that all relevant stakeholders contribute, including state and religious institutions, secular and religious civil society organizations, new and traditional media, academia and education institutions, as well as regional and international organizations . Implementing this Plan of Action could contribute to the prevention of atrocity crimes worldwide, especially in areas affected by religious and sectarian tensions and violence . Its implementation will also enhance the respect, protection and promotion of human rights."