E/CN.4/1991/56
page 8
summarized as follows: proselytism is the effort to penetrate, through
illegal means, into the religious conscience of a person, so as to convert his
religious beliefs to the benefit of a certain religion, namely that of the
proselytizer (see decisions 2276/1953 (Plenary), 2168/1961, 824/1963,
1533/1965).
"According to the provisions of the Penal Law, proselytism is
acknowledged to be conducted:
by means of any kind of offers, moral or material, or promises for
such offers;
through fraudulent means;
through the abuse of the inexperience or trust, or through
exploitation of the need, the mental inability or naivety, of the
- person against whom this effort is directed.
"The conduct of proselytism is punishable by imprisonment and fine (up to
50,000 drachmas), the culprit being asked to report periodically to a police
station."
Grenada
"National legislation or practice does not make any distinction between
religion, religious sects and religious associations."
"Iraqi national legislation contains no provisions whatsoever under which
discrimination among citizens is permitted on grounds of their religion, their
religious sect or their membership of religious associations, with the
exception of Masonic lodges, membership of which constitutes an offence under
the terms of article 20 of the Iraqi Penal Code, since they are associated
with Zionist doctrines which are prohibited in Iraq."
"There is no distinction between religion, religious sects and religious
associations. Everybody has the right to freedom of conscience according to
the Constitution and according to Act XIV of 1987."
Mexico
"Mexican legislation or practice make no distinction whatever between
religion, religious sects and religious associations.
Article 24 of the Constitution of the United Mexican States guarantees
religious freedom in Mexico.
This right to freedom of belief is reaffirmed in article 130 of the
Mexican Constitution, which stipulates that 'The Congress may not enact laws
establishing or prohibiting any religion'."