E/CN.4/1990/46 page 39 According to article 318, 'obstruction to or disturbance of the freedom to worship of a religious denomination, organized and functioning in conformity with the law, shall be punishable by imprisonment for one to six months and by a fine. The same penalty is applicable if a person is compelled by force to take part in the religious services of any denomination, or to engage in a religious act connected with the worship of a denomination'. "One of the essential elements in the legal provisions governing freedom of conscience and religion is the full equality of all denominations. In Romania, there are no dominant, privileged religions or churches and no secondary religions or churches subject to discrimination because of the number of believers or their national origin. "All denominations enjoy the same rights and freedoms and are able to organize and operate according to their own rules, doctrines and traditions and the nationality of the believers. They are free to use their mother tongue in their activities and services, in their publications, theological colleges, etc. They are entitled to have churches, chapels, cemeteries, etc., to meet their needs. "Relations between the State and religious denominations are based on the principle of mutual respect, non-interference by the State authorities in the churches' internal affairs and respect by the denominations for the law of the land. "In Romania, there is no friction or discord between the State and the leaders of the various denominations. Relations between the State and the various churches are good and harmonious, all problems being settled by dialogue in a spirit of understanding, mutual respect and respect for the law. "The Romanian State also contributes financially to the churches' activities. A third of the salaries of the staff of religious denominations is paid by the State. Large sums are allocated by the State for the preservation and restoration of churches which are part of the national cultural heritage. "Under the 1948 law mentioned above, there are 14 religious denominations operating in Romania, each with its own rules and regulations. "The Romanian Orthodox Church has 12,342 churches, 2,400 of which represent historical or architectural monuments forming part of the country's cultural heritage. "After the Second World War, 471 new churches were built, and 227 more were rebuilt, after having been destroyed during the period 1940-1944, when part of the country was occupied by Hungary under the Horthy regime. "The Romanian Orthodox Church has 103 monasteries and convents, with more than 2,000 monks and nuns, 6 seminaries and 2 theological colleges.