E/CN.4/1997/91 page 20 100. It is important to recall here some comments made by the Human Rights Committee in its general comment of July 1993 on article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee pointed out that “the freedom of thought and the freedom of conscience are protected equally with the freedom of religion and belief. The fundamental character of these freedoms is also reflected in the fact that this provision cannot be derogated from, even in time of public emergency”. 101. The Committee felt that restrictions on displays of religious freedom should be applied only for those purposes for which they were prescribed, and must be directly related and proportionate to the specific need on which they were predicated. They must not be imposed for discriminatory purposes or applied in a discriminatory manner. The Committee believed that limitations on the freedom to manifest a religion or belief for the purpose of protecting morals must be based on principles not deriving exclusively from a single tradition. 102. The problems raised by the question of sects are many and varied, and require a great deal of attention, effort and tolerance. This, for example, is the case when the philosophy on which a religious community claims to operate conflicts with the obligations implicit in belonging to a single nation, or with laws on health. Finding a solution requires great tolerance so that compromises can be arrived at that reconcile the need for freedom of religion with the equal need to retain the religious community concerned as part of the nation, and to ensure that the law, or at least something equivalent to the law, is respected. 103. The Special Rapporteur recommends a high-level intergovernmental meeting to consider and arrive at a collective approach to sects and religions that respects human rights. Within the Commission, too, a study on the phenomena of sects and religious freedom is strongly to be recommended. In any event, over the coming years the question of sects should be given sustained attention, both in matters of definition and delimitation and at the level of specific instances and how they are handled. C. Other conclusions and recommendations 104. 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 in order to increase, channel and target information on the religious situation throughout the world, in accordance with the mandate on religious intolerance, with a view to the establishment under the urging and guidance of the Special Rapporteur of the databases necessary for more thorough analysis and investigation in the area of religious freedom. 105. The Special Rapporteur wishes to express his gratitude to States for their cooperation and the opportunities for fruitful dialogue he has been given. He has particularly appreciated the efforts of those Governments which have tried to shed light on allegations submitted to them and have initiated or responded positively to the suggestion of in situ visits. The replies thus provided, and governmental cooperation over visits, have been of valuable assistance to the Special Rapporteur in forming an authoritative opinion on