E/CN.4/1995/91/Add.1 page 81 (3) The Constitution of a religious body or denomination shall not be altered except with the consent of that governing authority of that body or denomination. (4) No religious body or denomination shall be prevented from providing religious instructions for persons of that body or denomination whether or not that body or denomination is in receipt of any government subsidy, grant or other form of financial assistance designed to meet, in whole or in part, the cost of such course of education. (5) No person shall be compelled to take any oath which is contrary to his religion or belief or to take any oath in a manner which is contrary to his religion or belief. (6) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision which is reasonably required: (a) in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health, (b) for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of other persons, including the right to observe and practise any religion without the unsolicited intervention of members of any other religion. This section is one of the entrenched provisions of the Constitution which means in this case that should any legislation be passed to alter that section, it is subject to the following process: (i) a period of three months must elapse between the introduction of the Bill into the House of Representatives and the commencement of the first debate on the whole text of that Bill in that House and a further period of three months has elapsed between the conclusion of that debate and the passing of that Bill by that House. (ii) the Bill shall not be deemed to be passed in either House unless at the final vote thereon it is supported by the votes of not less than two thirds of all the members of that House - a much more stringent requirement than for Bills altering sections of the Constitution not Entrenched which require the votes of a majority of all the members of that House. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (6) of 21, it is not anticipated that laws would be passed derogating from the right of freedom of religion.

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