A/56/253 statutes (so as to obtain legal personality) or not to do so. Anyone belonging to a religious community which has not registered its statutes has an equal right to perform civilian service instead of compulsory military service if the latter is contrary to his religious convictions. The claim that the Ukrainian Alternative (Civilian) Service Act applies only to members of officially registered religious communities, and the claims made concerning the practical application of the Act, are therefore not in keeping with reality. Nor has it been found that the State religious affairs bodies have failed to comply with the time limits for the consideration of issues relating to the registration of the statutes (articles of incorporation) of religious communities. “The Ukrainian Constitution and national legislation in force governing questions relating to freedom of conscience and religious activity, refute the claim that foreigners may not engage in religious activities in Ukraine other than within the ‘strict’ framework of the organizations that invite them to the country with the consent of the authorities. “Under articles 26, 34 and 35 of the Constitution, foreigners who are legally in Ukraine enjoy the same rights and freedoms and have the same obligations as Ukrainian citizens. Their freedom of opinion and conscience is guaranteed. Any foreigner in Ukraine may (on an equal footing) profess his religion individually or collectively, take part in religious services and perform other religious acts connected with his faith provided he complies with Ukrainian legislation. Foreigners may not, under any circumstances, advocate religious intolerance or offend the religious convictions of Ukrainian citizens, or of foreigners or stateless persons domiciled or temporarily living in Ukraine. Interference in religious services or other activities governed by the canonical law of religious organizations is prohibited. That does not apply only to foreigners. Under article 5 of the Ukrainian Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations Act, it is illegal for anyone — this applies to State bodies, social organizations and religious organizations and also to individuals — to interfere in the activities of religious organizations or of their representatives provided that those activities are conducted in accordance with the law. “Foreign religious leaders (Catholic priests, ministers of religion, preachers and teachers) may come to Ukraine to preach or engage in other religious activity, at the invitation of religious organizations which need the services of such persons and with the agreement of the State body that registered the statutes of the organization in question. “Thus, in 1998, the State Committee for Religious Affairs considered 1,148 applications from religious organizations and centres for permits to invite foreigners to Ukraine to engage in religious activities such as providing leadership or instruction to communities, or for humanitarian activities, in particular charitable work; the Committee issued permits for such purposes for 3,793 foreign nationals, and its local agencies did the same for 7,716 foreigners. “During the first half of 1999, the State Committee for Religious Affairs received 961 such applications from religious organizations and centres; it approved the issuance of invitations to 1,939 foreigners to come to Ukraine to engage in religious activity, or in some other type of work carried out jointly 70