E/CN.4/1991/56 page 13 22. (b ) Does your country afford equal protection both to believers of all faiths and to non-believers (free thinkers, agnostics and atheists)? If not, in what wav is the treatment different? Albania "All citizens, believers or non-believers, without any distinction whatever, are equal before the law." The Bahamas "Equal protection is accorded to all." Bangladesh "Yes. In Bangladesh all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of law. No discrimination is made against any citizen on the ground of religion. The right of every citizen to freedom of religion, thought and conscience is guaranteed in the Constitution of Bangladesh." Chad The Government of Chad did not specifically answer this question. However, it stated that in Chad believers of all religious persuasions (Muslims, Christians and animists) and non-believers (atheists) receive equal protection and respect, in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution (art. 53) which guarantee freedom of worship. In its reply, the Government of China did not specifically answer this question. However, in its general reply, it referred to it as follows: "The Chinese Constitution explicitly stipulates 'citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy the freedom of religious belief.' It means every citizen has the freedom to believe in or not to believe in religions, and the freedom to believe in this sect or that sect within a religion. • a • The Chinese Government gives equal treatment to all Chinese citizens politically and economically, whether they are religious believers or not. Article 36 of the Chinese Constitution provides: 'No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion.' Some other Chinese laws carry likewise provisions that all citizens, be they religious believers or not, have the same rights." Colombia In its reply, the Government of Colombia did not refer specifically to this question, but stated the following: "Colombian legislation affords equal protection to the believers of any religious faith and to non-believers, nationals or aliens."