B/CN.4/1988/45 page 21 III. UPDATING OF THE ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTED 37. In his initial report, the Special Rapporteur endeavoured, on the basis of the information he had obtained from various sources, to present an overall view of incidents and measures inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration. He reassembled the information collected according to several criteria, namely, the factors whose existence constitutes an obstacle to the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration, infringements of the rights defined in the Declaration, and other violations of human rights resulting from manifestations of religious intolerance. Thus, as stated above, the Special Rapporteur considers that, at the current stage in the. updating of his analysis, emphasis has to be placed on infringements resulting from governmental actions and measures. Naturally, whenever a reference to factors constituting an obstacle to the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration might make for better understanding of a particular situation, such factors will be mentioned. In general, however, there have been no major changes during the period covered by the present report in the findings reflected in document E/CN.4/1987/35 on the negative repercussions which some legislative provisions, governmental policies, political, economic and cultural factors and intransigent inter-faith attitudes may have on the enjoyment of religious rights and freedoms. 38. The analysis of the information collected for the initial report clearly showed that an extremely wide range and variety of situations which are inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration exist in different forms in some 40 countries and concern the followers of many different religions and religious movements. Recent developments show that, in most cases, the problem of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief continues to exist. However, the human rights situation in some European countries offers grounds for optimism. Some progress has been made, particularly with regard to religious freedom and worship, as a result of greater openness and transparency in international relations and in the internal policies of these countries, which have been showing renewed interest in the provisions of the Final Act of Helsinki that had been somewhat forgotten in the years following the signature of the Act. The Special Rapporteur expresses the hope that relations between the authorities and religious faiths may improve in these countries. Unfortunately, in other countries, particularly those which have not replied to the allegations communicated by the Special Rapporteur, the problems of intolerance and discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief continue to exist. 39. During the period covered by the present report, the Special Rapporteur continued to receive allegations from various sources concerning governmental actions and measures which are inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration. Some of these allegations were referred to in the preceding chapter in connection with the consideration of the communications addressed to some Governments in particular. Others will be referred to by way of example, since it would be impossible to draw up a complete and comprehensive inventory of infringements of the rights defined in the Declaration.