(Defensor del Puebloi had been established under the new Constitution to institute proceedings of habeas corpus, receive reports of human rights violations and ensure the defence of individuals who could not afford counsel. The Higher Adjudication Council had been established under the new Constitution to safeguard the independence of the judicial branch by overseeing all financial and budgetary matters and all disciplinary matters. It was composed of impartial, independent magistrates who monitored and evaluated the performance of judges. The system of appointment of anonymous judges had been established so that they could not be interfered with by the Executive Branch or by organized crime. 370. With regard to questions raised relating to internally displaced persons, the representative emphasized that, over the past 40 years, Colombia had been caught up in a process of rapid urbanization. At the same time, economic activities in rural areas had declined sharply and landowners were being abducted by the guerrillas or forced to make routine payments to them. The ensuing emigration of peasants from rural areas to the cities had given rise to a very serious social and economic situation. The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Social Policy provided assistance to family members of victims of violence and gave support through temporary assistance programmes. The Government's National Rehabilitation Plan carried out social investment projects in rural areas affected by violence. 371. Replying to questions raised in connection with child mortality, the representative of the State party said that, as a result o£ government efforts, the infant mortality rate had dropped to 37 per 1,000 in 1992. That rate had unfortunately declined much less rapidly in the indigenous or minorities communities because those groups lived in inaccessible areas. Freedom of movement and expulsion of aliens, right to privacy, freedom of religion, expression, assembly and association and right to participate in the conduct of public affairs 372. Referring to those issues, members of the Committee wished to receive information on the circumstances under which restricted residence could be ordered under the new Constitution; on the law and practice relating to permissible interference with the right to privacy and the collection and use of personal data; on the privileged treatment, if any, of the Roman Catholic Church as compared with other churches or religious groups; and on whether any popular referendum, as envisaged in article 6 of Legislative Act No. 1 of 1986, had ever been organized. 373. In addition, it was asked whether the right to privacy was guaranteed in practice to the same extent in remote areas as in urban centres and under what conditions a public official could grant an order for wire-tapping or the interception of correspondence* Further information was also requested on the implementation of article 176 of the Constitution; on the impact of the activities of guerrilla groups and drug traffickers on the exercise of the freedom of expression and assembly; on the requirements for authorization of a film by the Film Classification Committee; on the law and practice relating to the exercise of trade-union rights; and on measures taken to protect tradeunion activists whose human rights were threatened. Clarification was also sought of certain provisions of the state of emergency bill introduced in January 1992, in particular those relating to the issuance of obligatory safeconduct passes in some areas of the country. -88-