Report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights
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UNITED
NATIONS
Distr.
GENERAL
A/51/542
23 October 1996
ENGLISH
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH AND
FRENCH
General Assembly
Fifty-first session
Agenda item 110 (b)
HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS: HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS, INCLUDING
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVE ENJOYMENT
OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS
Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All
Forms of Religious Intolerance and of Discrimination Based
on Religion or Belief
Note by the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the members of
the General Assembly the interim report on the elimination of all
forms of religious intolerance, prepared by Mr. Abdelfattah Amor,
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, in accordance
with General Assembly resolution 50/183 of 22 December 1995.
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION .........................................
1 - 6 3
II. IMPORTANCE OF IN SITU VISITS AND THEIR FOLLOW-UP .....
7 - 20 3
III. DEVELOPMENT OF A CULTURE OF TOLERANCE ................
21 - 24 5
IV. STATUS OF COMMUNICATIONS SINCE THE FIFTY-SECOND
SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS ............
25 - 46 6
V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................
47 - 60 10
Annexes
I. A. Follow-up table addressed to the Chinese authorities .........
14
B. Follow-up table addressed to the Iranian authorities .........
17
C. Follow-up table addressed to the Pakistani authorities .......
22
II. Reply of the Chinese authorities to the follow-up table ..........
26
I. INTRODUCTION
1. At its forty-second session, the Commission on Human Rights decided, in
resolution 1986/20 of 10 March 1986, to appoint for one year a special
rapporteur to examine incidents and governmental action in all parts of the
world inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration on the Elimination
of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief,
and to recommend remedial measures for such situations.
2. In accordance with the terms of that resolution, the Special Rapporteur
submitted his first report to the Commission at its forty-third session
(E/CN.4/1987/35). His mandate was extended for one year by resolution 1987/15
of 4 March 1987, adopted at the same session of the Commission.
3. From 1988 onwards, the Special Rapporteur submitted yearly reports to
the Commission (E/CN.4/1988/45 and Add.1; E/CN.4/1989/44; E/CN.4/1990/46;
E/CN.4/1991/56; E/CN.4/1992/52; E/CN.4/1993/62 and Add.1 and Corr.1). In its
resolutions 1988/55, 1990/27 and 1992/17, the Commission twice decided to
extend the Special Rapporteur's mandate for two years, and then for three
years until 1995.
4. After the resignation for Mr. Angelo Vidal d'Almeida Ribeiro, the
Chairman of the Commission appointed Mr. Abdelfattah Amor as Special
Rapporteur. The latter submitted his reports (E/CN.4/1994/79; E/CN.4/1995/91
and Add.1; E/CN.4/1996/95 and Add.1-2) to the Commission on Human Rights at
its fiftieth, fifty-first and fifty-second sessions. By its resolution
1995/23 of 24 February 1995, the Commission on Human Rights decided to extend
the Special Rapporteur's mandate for three years.
5. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 49/188 of 23 December 1994, the
Special Rapporteur submitted an interim report to the General Assembly at its
fiftieth session (A/50/440).
6. This report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 50/183
of 22 December 1995. The Special Rapporteur has examined in situ visits and
their follow-up, the development of a culture of tolerance and the status of
communications since the fifty-second session of the Commission on Human
Rights.
II. IMPORTANCE OF IN SITU VISITS AND THEIR FOLLOW-UP
7. The Special Rapporteur attaches considerable importance to in situ
visits and their follow-up.
8. He has therefore sought to increase the effectiveness of his mandate by
making several requests for visits, as well as by making actual visits in the
field on his own initiative or at the invitation of the Governments concerned.
9. Starting in 1994, the Special Rapporteur made a visit to China in
November 1994 on the initiative of the People's Republic of China
(E/CN.4/1995/91, paras. 109 to 127). In June 1995, he visited Pakistan at the
invitation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
(E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.1). In December 1995, he travelled to the Islamic
Republic of Iran at the invitation of the Iranian Government
(E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2).
10. In June 1996, the Special Rapporteur visited Greece at the invitation of
the Greek Government, and in September 1996, he visited the Sudan at the
invitation of the Sudanese Government and pursuant to General Assembly
resolution 50/197 of 22 December 1995 and Commission on Human Rights
resolution 1996/73 of 23 April 1996.
11. In December 1996, the Special Rapporteur expects to make a visit to India which has been postponed several times by the Indian authorities for scheduling reasons.
12. Lastly, the Special Rapporteur will travel to Australia in January 1997 at the invitation of the Australian Government and pursuant to paragraphs 14 and 15 of General Assembly resolution 50/183 1/ and Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/73.
13. The Special Rapporteur considers it essential to make visits, firstly, to gather views and observations on any allegations of incidents and governmental action inconsistent with the provisions of the 1981 Declaration and, where appropriate, recommend remedial measures and, secondly, to analyse and publicize the positive experiences and initiatives of States.
14. In 1995, the Special Rapporteur expressed the desire to visit Viet Nam and Turkey. The Vietnamese authorities replied by letter that they were considering the Special Rapporteur's request, and their final response is awaited. In the case of Turkey, the Special Rapporteur has unfortunately received no written reply to his letters, although there have been informal consultations with the responsible authorities this year.
15. In 1996, the Special Rapporteur expressed the desire to visit Germany. The German authorities responded positively and proposed that the Special Rapporteur come in December 1996 or January 1997. For scheduling reasons, the Special Rapporteur has requested that this visit be postponed until after April 1997.
16. Requests for visits were also sent to the Governments of Indonesia and Mauritius. The Special Rapporteur has yet to receive a response.
17. The Special Rapporteur strongly encourages all States to invite him to visit their countries in order to strengthen understanding and mutual cooperation, in the interest of promoting tolerance and eliminating discrimination based on religion or belief.
18. Following up past visits is another important element in the fulfilment of his mandate.
19. Accordingly, in 1996, the Special Rapporteur set in motion procedures for following up his visits to China, Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Letters were sent to their respective Permanent Missions asking for comments and for any information on measures taken or envisaged by the authorities concerned to implement the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur in his reports on his visits and reproduced in table form (see annex I). The Special Rapporteur received a reply from the Chinese authorities (see annex II), for which he expresses his gratitude. He also received the cooperation of the Iranian authorities in the form of consultations in Geneva and is awaiting comments and information from them in reply to his letter. Lastly, the Special Rapporteur noted the cooperative attitude of the Pakistani authorities at the latest session of the Commission on Human Rights and is hoping for a reply to his follow-up letter.
20. The Special Rapporteur is thus counting on the cooperation of all States in order to be able not only to make in situ visits but also and above all to follow up the visits already made. III. DEVELOPMENT OF A CULTURE OF TOLERANCE
21. The Special Rapporteur considers the development of a culture of tolerance as a basic priority for the implementation of a bona fide policy of preventing intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief.
22. As the Special Rapporteur explained in his previous reports to the General Assembly and to the Commission on Human Rights, education can make a decisive contribution to the internalization of values based on human rights and to the emergence, at both the individual and group levels, of attitudes and behaviours reflecting tolerance and non-discrimination, thus constituting an element in the dissemination of a human rights culture. As an essential component of the educational system, schools can provide fertile ground for achieving lasting progress in the promotion of tolerance and non- discrimination with regard to religion and belief. Accordingly, the Special Rapporteur conducted a survey, by means of a questionnaire addressed to States, on problems relating to freedom of religion and belief from the standpoint of the curricula and textbooks of primary or elementary and secondary education institutions. The results of such a survey could facilitate the formulation of an international educational strategy to combat all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief, a strategy that could centre on the definition and implementation of a common minimum programme to foster tolerance and non-discrimination.
23. The Special Rapporteur has received replies from the following 78 States: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Colombia, Co^te d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia and Zambia.
24. Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1994/18 encouraging him to examine the contribution that education can make to the more effective promotion of religious tolerance, and Commission resolutions 1995/23 and 1996/23, as well as General Assembly resolution 50/183 stressing the importance of education in ensuring tolerance of religion and belief, the Special Rapporteur invites all other States to reply to the questionnaire addressed to them, in order to give proper scope to the results of this international survey. Once again, because of the insufficient resources allocated to the Special Rapporteur's mandate and despite the repeated pledges made by the Administration, it has not been possible to begin the sorting and analysis of replies that is necessary for the formulation of a draft international strategy and that will have to be undertaken as soon as possible. IV. STATUS OF COMMUNICATIONS SINCE THE FIFTY-SECOND SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
25. This report on the status of communications and replies concerns communications sent since the fifty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights, the replies or absence of replies from the States concerned and late replies. 2/
26. Because of drastic budget cuts, the Special Rapporteur has been unable to publish these communications and the replies from States, contrary to the practice followed since the establishment of his mandate. This constraint is highly detrimental to the paramount importance of information and to its educational function and ultimately constitutes a form of information censorship that seriously undermines the Special Rapporteur's mandate. Accordingly, the Special Rapporteur has analysed the information and can provide anyone with copies of the communications and replies available at the Centre for Human Rights in Geneva.
27. Since the fifty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur has sent communications to 35 States: Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Chad, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Eritrea, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Viet Nam and Yemen.
28. As to urgent appeals, Egypt was sent a second such appeal concerning Professor Nasr Abu Zeid of Cairo University, who was tried on 13 June 1995 by a court for his writings on interpretations of the Koran deemed anti-Islamic by Islamist plaintiffs. Professor Abu Zeid was allegedly declared an apostate by the court and required to divorce his wife (see E/CN.4/1996/95). The Special Rapporteur sent a first urgent appeal on 22 June 1995 and a reminder on 13 September 1995, and, on 19 February 1996, received a reply from the Egyptian authorities indicating that a final judgement had yet to be handed down in the case, that the case did not affect Professor Abu Zeid's professional status, that no decision to confiscate or ban his works had been taken and that his safety was assured. Moreover, Act No. 3 of 1996 had made the institution of legal proceedings on religious grounds the sole prerogative of the government procurator, in order to prevent any abuses aimed at the defamation or intimidation of citizens. On 9 August 1996, the Special Rapporteur sent a second urgent appeal after the Court of Cassation took a decision which confirmed the order declaring Professor Abu Zeid an apostate and requiring him to separate from his wife. On 22 August 1996, the Egyptian authorities drew attention to the development of their legislation (as exemplified by the aforementioned Act No. 3 and by the Act of 21 May 1996 making the admissibility of a lawsuit contingent on the concept of personal and direct interest) and to the need to respect the independence of the judiciary.
29. It should be noted that other cases involving allegations in the form of complaints will be examined later, inter alia, during in situ visits.
30. Based on the analysis of the communications, the following is a very general classification of the religious communities against which violations have allegedly taken place: (a) Christianity: Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Viet Nam, Yemen; (b) Islam: Chad, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, United Kingdom, Yemen; (c) Buddhism: China, Russian Federation, Viet Nam; (d) Hinduism: Yemen; (e) Judaism: Belarus; (f) Other religions, religious groups and religious communities: (i) Bahá'ís: Armenia, Indonesia; (ii) Jehovah's Witnesses: Armenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Eritrea, Indonesia, Singapore; (iii) Hare Krishna: Armenia; (iv) Al Arqam: Malaysia; (v) Darul Arqam: Indonesia; (vi) Mormons: Ukraine; (g) All religions and religious groups except the official or State religion: Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Israel, Maldives.
31. In analysing the communications by topic, the Special Rapporteur divided them into six categories of violations.
32. The first category concerns violations of the principle of non-discrimination in religion and belief. It involves allegations of discriminatory policies and/or legislation and regulations in regard to religion and belief, such as those against Christians and Shiites in Saudi Arabia; against non-Muslims in Brunei Darussalam and Maldives; against Christians in the Lao People's Democratic Republic; and against Christians and Muslims in Israel. In Eritrea, the Jehovah's Witnesses are also alleged to have suffered discrimination for expressing their religious beliefs. In addition, Bulgaria's alleged refusal to grant official recognition to religious groups such as the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance, most Christian missions, independent churches and theological institutes is a violation of the principle of non-discrimination. The same is true of bans on specific religious communities, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Bahá'ís and Darul Arqam in Indonesia; the Al Arqam group in Malaysia; and the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Unification Church in Singapore. The Special Rapporteur sent a communication to the United Kingdom authorities concerning the publication of newspaper articles conveying a negative and discriminatory image of Muslims. Violations of the principle of non-discrimination are also found indirectly in the five other categories of violations.
33. The second category concerns violations of the principle of tolerance in the area of religion and belief and reflects the Special Rapporteur's concern about religious extremism. Such extremism may threaten an entire society (Yemen), certain categories of individuals such as artists (Chad) or teachers (Egypt), or certain religious minorities (Mexico and Somalia). It is important to note that religious extremism acts as a cancer in any religious group, whatever the denomination, and that it affects the members of that group just as much as those of other religious groups.
34. The third category concerns violations of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief. The question of conscientious objection is raised directly through allegations of prosecution, loss of citizenship rights (Eritrea) and/or imprisonment for refusing to perform military service (Cyprus, Croatia, Russian Federation, Singapore). Other allegations raise the problem of the absence of legal recognition of the right of conscientious objection (Eritrea, Singapore) and, notably, the absence of alternative service (Russian Federation) or even of legal provisions recognizing the concept of conscientious objection and providing for unarmed military service, an omission at variance with international law (Cyprus). Some allegations refer to an official campaign to force believers to renounce their faith (Lao People's Democratic Republic). The freedom to change one's religion is also being violated, as shown by allegations of prohibitions on converting to another religion (Bhutan, Maldives) of prosecution (Kuwait) or under threat of ill-treatment (Mexico).
35. The fourth category concerns violations of the right to manifest one's religion or belief. It covers allegations of control of religious activities by the authorities (Armenia, Japan) which may take the form of restrictions on, or even the prohibition of, public manifestations (China, Maldives, Romania) or private manifestations (China, Saudi Arabia), of religious beliefs and practices by certain religious groups, certain categories of persons - notably foreigners (Belarus, Ukraine) and certain professional bodies such as the army (banning of religious services other than those of the official religion in Bolivia). Often, a ban on proselytizing by certain religious communities is the subject of special legislation (Armenia, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Moldova) and may entail prison sentences (Morocco, Nepal).
36. The fifth category concerns violations of the freedom to dispose of religious property. The communications sent raise the question of the restitution of goods and properties to religious communities (Albania, Belarus). Some allegations concern restrictions on certain religious groups' access to places of worship (Israel) which may also lead to the closing of those places (Bulgaria, China, Lao People's Democratic Republic). Bureaucratic obstacles to the acquisition of property by certain religious communities have also been reported in Indonesia and Romania. Lastly, places of worship seem to be the target of very serious violations, especially arson (Indonesia), desecration (Yemen) and destruction (China).
37. The sixth category concerns violations of the right to life, physical integrity and health of persons (clergy and believers). The Special Rapporteur has received reports of many cases of threats (Chad, Yemen), ill- treatment, arrests and detention (Armenia, China, Cyprus, Georgia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Viet Nam) and even murders (Mexico, Somalia, Tajikistan, Yemen). Such violations also appear in the religious extremism category.
38. With regard to States' replies to communications other than urgent appeals, the deadline has not expired for 21 States: Armenia, Belarus, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Eritrea, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Singapore, Somalia, Ukraine, Viet Nam and Yemen.
39. Of the 13 States for which the deadline has expired (Albania, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chad, Georgia, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mexico, Morocco, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and United Kingdom), 5 have replied: Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mexico, Morocco and Romania.
40. With reference to the content of replies, Kuwait provided a general response basically referring to its positive law and stating that judicial cases are examined in accordance with the laws of the country.
41. The Lao People's Democratic Republic provided information on its legislation in the area of tolerance and non-discrimination with regard to religion or belief and denied reports of an official campaign against Christians. It did, however, emphasize that some Christians and non-governmental organizations had used religion for political ends, in violation of the laws in force, and were trying to convert people to Christianity in exchange for material assistance and exemption from military service and from State taxes. Those responsible for such disturbances of public order and social stability are subject to prosecution, irrespective of their religion.
42. In its reply concerning the detention and subsequent hospitalization of a Muslim who had converted to Christianity and been found guilty of evangelism, Morocco stated that he had left the hospital at Inezgane on 3 June 1996.
43. Mexico provided detailed information and documentation on State initiatives and action to promote reconciliation and respect for the religious freedom of the Chamula and Catholic evangelical religious minorities.
44. Romania disputed the allegations of discrimination against the Romanian Evangelical Alliance, especially as regards the procedures for approving construction permits for places of worship. Moreover, it claimed that the two "Voice of Gospel" radio stations had received authorization from the National Audio-visual Council to broadcast, but on another frequency. As for the restitution of church property taken over by the State in 1948, the authorities outlined State legislation and policy in that area, which sought to identify the most appropriate measures for preserving the current social usefulness of the property in question without creating privileges for certain religions to the detriment of others.
45. On the subject of replies to communications sent within the context of the report to the fifty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur has received written replies from the following States: Austria, Belgium, China, Estonia, Germany, Japan, Maldives, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia and Ukraine. The content of those replies will be reflected in the next report to the Commission on Human Rights.
46. The Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey also sent communications to the Special Rapporteur, for information. V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
47. Based on his experience in the daily performance of his mandate and his visits in situ, the Special Rapporteur notes that no religion is completely safe from attack and that no State or category of States, or religion or religious group or community, has a monopoly on intolerance.
48. It is a fact that freedom of religion does not seem to have won over the minds of all men and women. Each religion tends to believe that it is sole guardian of the truth and that it has a duty to make everyone bear witness to that truth. That does not always contribute to tolerance among religions. Moreover, each religion may be tempted to fight what it may consider to be deviance within its own ranks or around it. That does not always contribute to tolerance within religions, especially tolerance of religious minorities. Religious freedom is really threatened and even jeopardized when it serves as a cover or an alibi for criminal acts which are often difficult to confront.
49. Such considerations lead the Special Rapporteur to express his grave concern at the problem of sects. In 1996, an increasing number of cases involving criminal acts - including murders - directly linked to groups identified as sects came to light in many countries. The Special Rapporteur, while sympathizing with the legitimate concerns expressed in various State sectors, whether Governments, parliaments or non-governmental victims' organizations, points out that the debate about sects and the campaigns against them are far too impassioned. Since many questions and misunderstandings surround the definitions and content of the terminologies of sects, new religious movements and even formal religion and since in international practice confusion reigns and States may have diametrically opposed attitudes to the same group, raising it to formal religious status or pejoratively classifying it as a sect, the Special Rapporteur feels that an international high-level governmental conference should be held to study and decide upon a common approach to sects and religions that respects human rights. He stresses that identifying solutions will require great tolerance in order for compromises to be found that reconcile the necessary freedom of religion with the equally necessary preservation of integration in the national group, as well as equal respect for the law. The Special Rapporteur also recommends that the Subcommission authorize a study of the phenomenon of sects and religious freedom.
50. Moreover, the fact is that religious extremism is not yet in retreat and seems set to continue to pose a threat, sometimes to entire regions. The major religions are no strangers to extremism and are sometimes exposed to these terrorist manifestations, which spare neither Governments nor the governed. It is vital to combat this religious extremism by taking action against both its causes and its effects and by getting States to define a minimum set of common rules of conduct and behaviour with regard to it.
51. On a different level, it is of fundamental importance that places of worship should be reserved for religious, non-political uses, that the legal system governing political parties should be defined in such a way as to avoid political variables impinging on religious constants, and that schools should be protected from all ideological, political or partisan indoctrination. It is not possible to overemphasize the contribution that schools, and education in general, can make to transmitting the values associated with tolerance and freedom.
52. From this point of view, the questionnaire on religious education in primary and secondary schools could be the starting point of a process to establish certain minimum common values and principles which might serve as a foundation for a common programme to foster tolerance and non-discrimination. For this reason, the Special Rapporteur calls on all States to become involved by replying to the questionnaire, thereby showing their commitment to a culture of tolerance.
53. The Special Rapporteur also notes, on the basis of numerous communications, that the fundamental right of conscientious objection is being denied or questioned in many States.
54. The Special Rapporteur is therefore anxious to remind States of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1989/59 of 8 March 1989, which has been reaffirmed on several occasions, in which the Commission recognizes "the right of everyone to have conscientious objections to military service as a legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as laid down in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights", and recommends to States "with a system of compulsory military service, where such provision has not already been made, that they introduce for conscientious objectors various forms of alternative service" which "should be in principle of a non-combatant or civilian character, in the public interest and not of a punitive nature".
55. In order to help achieve greater respect for and knowledge of the rights linked to religious freedom, as well as the principles of tolerance and non-discrimination with regard to religion and belief, the Special Rapporteur reiterates his recommendations for the implementation of specific programmes of advisory services and technical assistance (see E/CN.4/1995/91). A note from the relevant services of the Centre for Human Rights on the implementation of such programmes is strongly recommended for the next session of the Commission on Human Rights.
56. Lastly, in the context of setting up a documentation centre in the Centre for Human Rights at Geneva, the Special Rapporteur recommends that a department on religious freedom and human rights should be set up, with the aim of increasing the amount of information received and collected on the religious situation throughout the international community and establishing the necessary databases for more in-depth analysis and study in the area of religious freedom.
57. The Special Rapporteur wishes to express his gratitude to States for their cooperation and for the opportunities that they have provided for fruitful dialogue. He particularly appreciated the efforts made by those Governments which tried to shed some light on the allegations, submitted to them and which initiated or responded positively to in situ visits. The replies supplied in this way by Governments and their cooperation with regard to visits are valuable tools which allow the Special Rapporteur to go on to form an authoritative opinion on the situation in a given country with respect to religious freedom. The Special Rapporteur is also grateful to those States which have cooperated more fully and closely in the recently initiated follow- up procedure to such visits.
58. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the non-governmental organizations for their excellent cooperation and to emphasize their dynamic role in relation to the mandate on religious intolerance. Their contribution is of paramount importance, not only for the day-to-day management of information but also for the preparation and conduct of in situ visits. The Special Rapporteur pays tribute to the professionalism and dedication to human rights shown by non-governmental, international and national organizations from North and South. He also wishes to encourage initiatives which fall entirely within the scope of the mandate on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief, such as the various activities of the Tandem Project, including its ROBIN (Religion or Belief Information Network) programme, 3/ and the European Magazine of Human Rights published by the non-governmental organization Human Rights Without Frontiers as part of the "Religious intolerance and discrimination" series financed by the PHARE and Tacis Democracy Programme. 4/ Lastly, the Special Rapporteur thanks the Non-Governmental Organization Committee on Human Rights for the interest it has shown, at the United Nations in Geneva and New York, in the mandate on religious intolerance.
59. As a result of the concerted actions of the international community, States and non-governmental organizations, a truly international public opinion is being formed in favour of containing and combating all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. 60. In conclusion, the Special Rapporteur wishes to make it absolutely clear that the resources at his disposal are inadequate for the effective accomplishment of his mandate. At the moment, there is in fact no correlation between what is at stake and the resources available. However legitimate the concerns of the United Nations to cut costs, the Special Rapporteur notes that the drastic limitations on the number of pages in his reports and on his in situ visits, as well as on the human and material assistance available to him, are truly detrimental to his mandate. The Special Rapporteur strongly insists that the resources assigned to his mandate should be increased, and he is quite prepared to accept financial contributions from States, non-governmental organizations and individuals within the framework of a voluntary fund for the mandate on religious intolerance managed in accordance with United Nations rules by the administration of the Centre for Human Rights, along the lines of the fund set up recently for the mandate on the question of violence against women. Any saving made at the expense of human rights at the present time is a lost opportunity for human rights which will translate into less freedom, less tolerance and less humanity. Notes 1/ Paragraphs 14 and 15 of General Assembly resolution 50/183 read as follows: ["The General Assembly] Invites the Special Rapporteur, within the terms of his mandate and in the context of recommending remedial measures, to take into account the experiences of various States as to which measures are most effective in promoting freedom of religion and belief and countering all forms of intolerance; Encourages Governments to give serious consideration to inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit their countries so as to enable him to fulfil his mandate even more effectively;". 2/ For the status of communications since the fifty-first session of the Commission on Human Rights, see E/CN.4/1996/95. 3/ The ROBIN programme is a 24-hour-a-day interactive World Wide Web site on the Internet, using the latest computer technology to collect and report information on issues relating to freedom of religion or belief and public policy. 4/ The PHARE and Tacis Democracy Programme is a European Union initiative to help promote democratic societies in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the newly independent States and Mongolia.
ANNEX I A. FOLLOW-UP TABLE ADDRESSED TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES 1. Legislation
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Recommendations Comments and measures
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With regard to the right of freedom to manifest one's religion, the Special Rapporteur recommends that amendments be made to the pertinent legal texts, such as article 36 of the Constitution, so as to provide a constitutional guarantee of respect for freedom to manifest one's religion or belief in accordance with article 1, paragraph 1, of the 1981 Declaration.
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With regard to the right of persons under the age of 18 to freedom of belief, the Special Rapporteur recommends that steps be taken to adopt a provision explicitly mentioning this right, so as to ensure the requisite compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially article 14.
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The Special Rapporteur recommends the adoption of a text recognizing the right to freedom of belief and freedom to manifest one's belief for all, including members of the Communist Party and other socio-political organizations.
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With reference to places of worship, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the notion of a "fixed place" (para. 2 of decree Number 145) be defined so as to clarify legally the particular terms, conditions and restrictions applying to worship at home. The Special Rapporteur recommends a more precise definition of the criteria for the registration of places of worship, especially the number of believers and the qualifications of members of religious orders.
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With regard to religious freedom in general, the Special Rapporteur recommends the introduction in the medium term of a law on religious freedom, so as to harmonize all the pertinent legal texts, remedy legal ambiguities and, in keeping with established international standards, overcome the particular fears and sensitivities prompted by the distinction between nationals and foreigners.
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2. Implementation of the legislation and policy in force
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Recommendations Comments and measures
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In order gradually to create a new culture among administrative and prison authorities, it is necessary to define the notion of "trespass to the person" expressly as an act committed by a public official, which may be unrelated to the performance of that person's duties or of a public service activity, so that the official has greater personal liability under civil and criminal law for direct and indirect, overt or covert infringements of or interference with religious freedom.
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The flexible approach between normal and abnormal religious activities should be extended so that ultimately the distinction effectively disappears.
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With regard to the alleged arrest or detention of members of religious orders and believers belonging to unofficial religious organizations (including members of sects and Tibetan monks) and restrictions affecting them, the Special Rapporteur reiterates his request that these persons be freed.
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With regard to Tibet, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the balances and compromises required by social dynamics be reached, so as to avoid the deeply religious being tempted by religious extremism.
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The Special Rapporteur recommends that religious figures who have served their sentences for "counter-revolutionary acts" should no longer be banned from entering places of worship. Furthermore, he recommends that a reasonable balance be worked out between the number of students of religion and the quality, duration and time set aside for their instruction. Likewise, the basically religious function of places of worship and the aim of making them financially independent should be made reasonably compatible.
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The Special Rapporteur wishes to stress the importance of giving State officials and judges adequate human rights training, especially on the subject of religious freedom. He recommends that the technical assistance and advisory services of the Centre for Human Rights should help in this area.
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The Special Rapporteur recommends that the principal texts on religious freedom should be posted in the administrative services concerned. Furthermore, the publication and distribution of a compendium of texts on religious freedom, including implementing instructions, is strongly recommended. The distribution of documentation about human rights to all religious institutions would also be desirable. The Special Rapporteur also recommends that citizens and institutions be informed about appeal procedures available in the event of a refusal to register religious organizations.
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Education about tolerance and non-discrimination against religion and belief should be considered and introduced as soon as possible, as a way of combating all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion and belief. At the same time, the Special Rapporteur urges the creation of universities offering religious instruction as a main or subsidiary subject. More broadly, the Special Rapporteur recommends that a culture of human rights and in particular of tolerance should be spread by promoting the creation of human rights clubs in universities, which would strive chiefly to further the development of tolerance of and non-discrimination against religion and belief.
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B. FOLLOW-UP TABLE ADDRESSED TO THE IRANIAN AUTHORITIES 1. Legislation
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Recommendations Comments and measures
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The concept of Islamic criteria as set forth in article 4 of the Constitution should be precisely defined in regulations or legal texts without, however, giving rise to discrimination among citizens.
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Concerning professional access by members of minorities to the army and the judiciary (arts. 104 and 163 of the Constitution), a legislative enactment regulating the Administration in general should prohibit discrimination against any Iranian citizen regardless of, inter alia, his or her beliefs or the community to which he or she belongs.
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Although the situation of non-recognized minorities or communities, such as the Bahá'ís, is covered by articles 14, 22 and 23 of the Constitution, in which the concepts of citizen, individual and person are used, a legislative enactment should give clearer recognition to these rights for every citizen, individual or person regardless, inter alia, of his beliefs or the community to which he belongs.
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2. Implementation of the legislation and policy in force (a) Recognized non-Muslim religious minorities
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Recommendations Comments and measures
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In the religious field, and particularly in that of religious education, instruction manuals should be compiled in closer, systematic collaboration with competent representatives of minorities in order to ensure that religious beliefs are correctly transcribed and respected.
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In the socio-cultural field, practical steps should be taken to ensure strict respect for the principle that religious laws should be applied in personal and community affairs, thereby excluding the application of the shariah to non-Muslims.
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In the field of education, and especially in minority schools, the Special Rapporteur recommends freedom of dress on the understanding that this should obviously not be exercised in a manner contrary to its purposes.
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With regard to managerial posts in the educational establishments of minorities, account should be taken of the special nature of minority schools, which should be reflected in their management.
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Minorities should collaborate closely in the formulation of educational programmes.
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In the professional field, the obligation for owners of grocery shops to indicate their religious affiliation on the front of their shops should be eliminated.
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In the judicial sector, the programme of advisory services of the Centre for Human Rights should be applied. Proper training of judicial and, in general, administrative personnel in human rights, particularly with regard to tolerance and non-discrimination based on religion or belief, would be highly appropriate.
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(b) Bahá'ís
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Recommendations Comments and measures
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The ban on the Bahá'í organization should be lifted so that it can engage fully in its religious activities.
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All the community and personal property that has been confiscated should be returned and the places of worship that have been destroyed should be reconstructed, if possible, or, at least, should be the subject of compensatory measures in favour of the Bahá'í community.
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The Bahá'ís should be free to bury and honour their dead.
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Concerning freedom of movement, including departure from Iranian territory, the question of religion should be deleted from passport application forms and this freedom should not be obstructed in any way.
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No discrimination should impede access by the Bahá'ís to education in higher educational establishments or to employment in the Administration and in the private sector.
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With regard to the judiciary, the Special Rapporteur reiterates the recommendations formulated concerning recognized minorities.
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The authorities should review or set aside the death sentences passed on Bahá'ís and should promulgate amnesties or any other appropriate measures to prevent the enforcement of the penalties imposed.
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(c) Protestants ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommendations Comments and measures
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The legal status of some religious associations, including the Universal Church, should be clarified through rehabilitation.
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The Protestant communities should be