E/CN.4/1995/91/Add.1 page 42 religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching’. Paragraph 2 of the same article further states that ’no one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice’. I also draw your attention to the similar provisions of article 1 of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination based on Religion or Belief. In the light of the aforementioned provisions, I wish to express my deep concern regarding the sentence passed on Mr. Mehdi Dibaj, and I should be grateful if your Government would keep me informed of the measures to be taken to give effect to the aforementioned provisions." 17. On 5 February 1994, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran addressed the following information to the Special Rapporteur in response to the above-mentioned urgent appeal: "In reference to your telex message concerning the case of Mr. Mehdi Dibaj and the allegations raised in the context of his death penalty, I have the honour to inform you of the following: According to the judicial authorities in my country, Mr. Mehdi Dibaj has not been sentenced to death for his conversion to Christianity and his offence has not come to the level of death penalty according to the Penal Code of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mr. Dibaj is currently released from custody and awaiting trial." MYANMAR 18. On 26 January 1994, the Government of Myanmar transmitted the following information to the Special Rapporteur concerning the communication of 28 February 1994 (E/CN.4/1994/79, para. 64). "I am pleased to send you herewith (as per annex) the full information received from the competent authorities of Myanmar on the measures it had taken in order to ensure that the various religious communities in Myanmar enjoy the free exercise of their faiths, in accordance with universally recognized standards of religious freedoms. May I also add that in Myanmar, the major religions - Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism - live side by side, flourishing and living in complete harmony. Foreign visitors to Myanmar can attest to the fact that there is complete freedom for the people in practising their religious faiths. It is also my sincere hope that the information provided in the annex would serve to prove that religious freedom does exist in Myanmar. Action taken by the authorities against certain individuals in connection with certain religious matters was taken in accordance with the prevailing laws in Myanmar."

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