E/CN.4/1991/56 page 120 of this phenomenon and its detrimental effect on the stability of international relations as well as on relations between particular, often neighbouring, States, the Special Rapporteur is of the opinion that more determined efforts should be made at all levels to combat attitudes of discrimination or intolerance, especially when they have deep historic and cultural roots. 99. The Special Rapporteur has taken due note of Commission resolution 1990/76 requesting him and other rapporteurs and groups to take urgent steps, in conformity with their mandates, to help prevent the occurrence of intimidation or reprisal against private individuals and groups who seek to co-operate with "he United Nations and representatives of its human rights bodies. The Special Rapporteur is indeed aware of this important concern of the Commission and will, within the framework of iiis mandate, take every possible action whenever such cases are brought to his attention. During the period under review, however, no concrete incidents or cases falling within the purview of resolution 1990/76 were reported to him. 100. With regard to the replies received on the above-mentioned questionnaire, :.he Special Rapporteur has noted that very few countries make a clear distinction between religions5 sects and religious associations. He racognizes the difficulty involved in establishing a clear definition and cotes ;hat the attitudes of Governments are based rather on the type of activities -he various religious entities engage in. .01. In this connection, mention can be made of the judicial proceedings filed against the so-called Church of Scientology in Italy and Spain (see .i/CN,ji '1990/46, paras. 55, 56, 78 and 79) and more recently in France, which lave either been closed or not followed up. .02- Prohibitive action in certain instances may result from a lack of acceptance, on the part of certain religious denominations, of what ^o-werrunents view as basic law. Most countries claim they afford equal protection to both believers of all faiths and non-believers as well as to persons -whose denomination makes them part of a religious minority. To •varying degrees, countries with an official religion appear to show a less -olerant attitude towards other religious denominations. 103o The majority of countries does not apply the principle of reciprocity concerning the practice of religion by foreigners. Certain countries have indicated that they do not apply this principle for if they were to do so, "hey would be less tolerant towards citizens of countries where their own nationals are not allowed to practise their religion. 104, Most countries denied the existence of marked confrontation between believers of different faiths. This appears to be in contradiction with the incidents reported over the years to the Special Rapporteur. As a consequence very few specific measures applied in combating manifestations of extremism or fanaticism were reported. It should also be noted that judicial and administrative remedies as well as conciliation arrangements do not appear to have been sufficiently developed worldwide. 105. On the basis of the foregoing observations, the Special Rapporteur considers that the best guarantee for the respect of the cited rights and freedoms continues to be the efficient functioning of democratic institutions