A/56/253 a means to promote human rights, social harmony and religious and cultural diversity.” China 31. On 23 January 2001, four men and one woman believed to be Falun Gong members allegedly set fire to themselves on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Cuba 32. On 21 November 2000, a teacher reportedly prohibited her students from bringing religious pictures to class. She is also said to have told the students’ parents that education was an obligation of the State and not a parental right. It was also alleged that under a new law, diplomas held by professionals who had entered a seminary or a religious order would no longer be recognized as valid. 33. Cuba replied, inter alia, that these allegations were a complete fabrication made up by individuals or organizations acting in accordance with the policy of hostility and aggression pursued by the Government of the United States of America against the Cuban people and revolution. These individuals or organizations were unscrupulously using the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights to serve their own interests. After a detailed investigation, Cuba stated, inter alia, “It is impossible for students to be punished for bringing to class symbols, emblems or other distinctive signs, expressing of the freedom of religion or conviction they enjoy. One of the principles on which [Cuban] education is based is the right of every person to be protected from all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief; that right is established in the Constitution. While it is true that the Cuban State guarantees to all citizens the right to a free education, as it has the responsibility and the duty to do, the educational system grants parents and families a special and decisive role at all stages of education … The fact that a person enters seminary or takes orders does not constitute a violation nor does it constitute grounds for persecution and discrimination; consequently, the validity of diplomas cannot be suspended. As regards the exercise of medicine, members of the medical profession are only required to observe the rules established by the Ministry of Public Health. In no way do these rules provide that clergy or individuals, in practicing their religion, whatever it may be, should be prohibited from exercising their profession or be suspended from their duties. Moreover, several of the main babalawos (individuals who, in cultures of African origin, play a role similar to that of Christian priests and pastors) are doctors who work in hospitals and other health centres in the country.” 34. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank Cuba for its detailed reply, which reaffirms its adherence to the struggle against religious intolerance. Egypt 35. In January 2001, some members of the Baha’i community were allegedly arrested for a variety of reasons, including propagation of deviant beliefs, possession of forbidden literature, vice and debauchery. The press allegedly conducted a slanderous campaign against the Baha’is. On 27 February 2001, Dr. Nasir Farid, the Mufti of Egypt, reportedly issued a legal statement declaring the Baha’i community 10