This convention lays down the rights of people belonging to national minority groups, including freedom of expression, association, religion, and linguistic and cultural rights. Article 4 guarantees persons belonging to national minorities the right to equality and requires State parties to adopt measures to promote "in all areas of economic, social, political and cultural life, full and effective equality between persons belonging to a national minority and those belonging to the majority." Article 6 calls upon State parties to promote social harmony through intercultural dialogue and also requires them to take necessary steps "to protect persons who may be subject to threats or acts of discrimination, hostility or violence as a result of their ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious identity."