E/CN.4/1983/45
page 6
to prison terms and various fines under Ordinance XX since 1 January 1986 for
offences such as the wearing, displaying or inscribing of the Kalima. Four
Ahmadis have reportedly been sentenced to death by military courts (Muhammad
Ilyas Munir and Naeem ud-Din in connection with the Sahiwal incident and Nasir
Ahmad Qureshi and Raji Ahmad Qureshi in connection with the Sukkur incident).
Cases of defacement, attacks, seizure or demolition of Ahmadiyya mosques have
been reported, with the alleged co-operation of the police forces. It has
been alleged that Ahmadis have on several occasions been prevented by the
authorities from holding religious meetings and conventions.
It has been alleged that Ahmadis have been denied relevant legal
protection in the courts and that civilian Ahmadis sentenced under the martial
law have not been provided with adequate legal safeguards. The Government has
allegedly required private employers to dismiss Ahmadi employees. It is
alleged that Ahmadis have been denied access to medical care in governmental
hospitals, admission to schools or universities and voting rights."
Turkey
"It has been alleged that during the past years, religious intolerance
has been practised against members of various Christian minorities, in
particular the Armenian-AsSyrian, and Greek Orthodox communities.
Incidents of physical violence, sometimes leading to death, as well as
humiliating treatment, in particular against Christian conscripts, have
allegedly taken place. Some Christian women have allegedly been forced to
convert to Islam and marry Muslims. Various forms of harassment have
reportedly led to mass exoduses from Christian villages in various regions,
such as Hakkari, Bohtan, Siirt and Tur Abdin. It has been alleged that some
churches have been destroyed or converted into mosques, and that buildings
belonging to Church or Jewish property have been seized by State authorities.
In accordance with Decree No 17,730 of 20 June 1982, the Bible is reportedly
considered as a prohibited book. A number of religious periodicals have also
reportedly been suspended.
It has been alleged that in some instances, Christians have been denied
due process of law and State legal protection in cases of persecution.
Christians are also allegedly the victims of discrimination with regard to
fiscal and employment problems.
It has been alleged that non-Muslim pupils have been compelled to follow
Muslim religious courses (in Diyarbakir). A number of religious seminars have
allegedly been closed. There are reports indicating a number of repressive
measures against Armenian schools, allegedly in order to ensure that such
schools remain accessible to as few students as possible."
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
"It has been alleged that the right to exercise freedom of thought,
conscience and religion is subjected to certain conditions, in particular the
registration of religious congregations with the Council for Religious
Affairs. It has been further alleged that such registration has implied, in
practice, the denial of certain religious rights, such as the right to
evangelize or to do charitable work, and to restrictions on activities, such
as the holding of religious seminars, the printing of religious materials, and
participation in church meetings.