A/56/253 Bhutan 6. With regard to the communication from the Special Rapporteur (para. 19), Bhutan replied: “Freedom of religion is enshrined in the laws of the country and Bhutanese are free to profess and practise any religion of their choice. While Buddhism and Hinduism are the two major religions practised in the country, there is no discrimination against any other religion. “The Royal Government of Bhutan neither discourages nor prohibits the practice of any religion or religious activity. In accordance with National Assembly resolutions that were adopted to prevent discord within the community, proselytization is not permissible in Bhutan. Such resolutions were prompted by complaints of community leaders that activities of missionaries aimed at converting poor and illiterate villagers through the use of material and other incentives threatened to create social and communal tensions. “Relations between the various religious communities in Bhutan are harmonious and have been spared the violence and animosity between different religious communities that is witnessed in other parts of the world. “With regard to the specific query received from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the question of religious intolerance that a proposal to construct a church in Bhutan was not accepted by authorities, according to the records of the Royal Government, such a request has never been received. There is no restriction on the establishment of any place of worship, provided that prior approval of the Government is obtained to ensure that the building of places of worship does not create disharmony in any given community and conforms with local construction codes.” China 7. In reply to the Special Rapporteur’s initial communication (paras. 26 and 27), China explained: Trial of Li Chang et al. “On 26 December 1999, the principal leaders of the Falun Gong sect, Li Chang and a few others, appeared in the court of first instance before the intermediate people’s court No. 1 of the municipality of Beijing. “It was established during the trial that Li Chang, Wang Zhiwen, Ji Liewu and Yao Lie were followers and active collaborators of Li Hongzhi, the chief guru of Falun Gong. On the pretext of spiritual meditation, by falsifying identities and deifying Li Hongzhi, these men created the Falun Gong sect, drafted its charter, invented its initiation rites and evangelical precepts and perpetrated a number of illegal acts in its name. “They used the sect to sow superstition among gullible people, which had grave and, at times, fatal consequences. According to information received, in late August 1999, more than 1,400 Falun Gong followers entered into a trance and committed suicide, performed self-mutilation, or refused all medical treatment, resulting in their death. 50