E/CN.4/1997/91 page 4 institute hisba proceedings, as brought by the plaintiffs who claimed to be acting in the name of Islam against Professor Abu Zeid, and Act No. 68 of 21 May 1996, which specifies the conditions for taking legal action. It should further be noted that the judgement of the Court of Cassation, rendered on 5 August 1996 and having the force of res judicata, has led to an action being brought against the judges, inter alia, for serious breaches of the rules concerning the competence and functioning of the Court of Cassation and for neglect of the duties incumbent upon judges. The action seeks, in particular, to have the Court's judgement declared null and void. In any event, the judgement may not be enforceable because of a recent judicial decision the text of which has not yet been communicated. 15. The Special Rapporteur would like to underscore the ceaseless efforts of the Egyptian authorities to combat intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief; those efforts should be welcomed, supported, pursued and strengthened. 16. The urgent appeal sent to the United Arab Emirates concerns a Christian, Mr. Elie Dib Ghalib, who is said to have been arrested and subjected to ill-treatment on account of his marriage to a Muslim. On 29 October 1996, a court reportedly annulled the marriage and sentenced Mr. Ghalib to 39 lashes and one year's imprisonment for immoral marital relations. A reply from the United Arab Emirates is now awaited. 17. Concerning the analysis of the communications, the religious communities in respect of which violations of religious freedom are alleged to have taken place may be classified very broadly as follows: (a) Christianity: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burundi, China, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam, Yemen; (b) Islam: Bangladesh, Chad, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Yemen; (c) Buddhism: China, Russian Federation, Viet Nam; (d) Hinduism: Yemen; (e) Judaism: (f) Other religions, religious groups and religious communities: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Belarus, Turkey; Baha'is: Armenia, Indonesia; Jehovah's Witnesses: Armenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Eritrea, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Indonesia, Singapore; Hare Krishna: Al Arqam: Armenia; Malaysia;