E/CN.4/1991/56
page 42
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
"No steps have been taken by the Government to place limits on the
freedom of expression of opinions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines."
Sweden
"Clashes between members of different religious denominations, or
expressions of extremist or fanatical opinions, are virttially non-existent in
Sweden."
Switzerland
"Article 261 of the Swiss Penal Code (CPS) protects individuals against
attacks on their freedom of belief and religion by punishing anyone who
publicly and basely offends against or ridicules the religious beliefs of
others. However, in order for an act to be considered an offence, it need not
be likely to cause racial intolerance or intrasigence.
In addition, a draft partial revision of the CPS, made necessary by
Switzerland's accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination, to take place in 1991, stipulates similar treatment for
discrimination based on belief and racial discrimination. Thus, the
definition given of racial discrimination includes acts based on the beliefs
of others (see CPS, draft art. 261 bis)."
Tunisia
"Despite the peaceful inter-denominational atmosphere in Tunisia, the
legislature has spared no effort to overcome any possible occurrence of
extremist or fanatical expressions liable to cause religious intransigence or
intolerance.
We have already noted that article 53 of the Press Code provides for a
prison term of up to one year for anyone who uses a publication to defame a
group of persons belonging to a particular race or religion, when the purpose
of the defamation is to incite hatred among citizens.
It should be added, however, that Act No. 88-32 of 3 May 1988 relating to
the organization of political parties has dealt with the question from another
angle, to meet the same concern to safeguard freedom of conscience.
It states that political parties must:
Respect and defend human rights as determined by the Constitution and the
international conventions ratified by Tunisia;
Banish violence in all forms, as well as fanaticism, racism and any other
form of discrimination;
Refrain from any activities that might impair the rights and freedoms of
others (art. 2 ) .
The Act adds that political parties cannot be based, in their principles,
activities and programme, on one religion, one language, one race, one sex or
one region (art. 3 ) . "