E/CN.4/2000/65 page 7 17. Belarus replied that, in its decision No. 280 of 23 February 1999, the Cabinet of Ministers confirmed the regulation relating to the invitation of foreign religious representatives to Belarus and their activity in the national territory. The regulation enables religious organizations and centres to invite foreign representatives, who are entitled to exercise their ministry and other religious activity. It was specified that religious organizations without legal recognition could not invite foreign religious representatives or conclude contracts, but there were few organizations of that kind: 68 out of 2,638 religious organizations in Belarus. Of those 68 organizations, 31 are evangelical Baptist communities, which do not register their statutes for religious reasons. Some organizations (Protestant and “Old Believer” communities), of which there are very few, do not need legal recognition and therefore do not register their statutes. With regard to the 43 Seventh Day Adventist communities, 30 have their own place of worship and 13 organize prayer meetings in their members’ homes. It was stated that no refusal to rent public buildings for religious purposes had been reported in relation to that community. Bolivia 18. The right to conscientious objection on grounds of religious belief is reportedly not recognized in law and it seems that there is no provision for any alternative form of service. Brunei Darussalam 19. By reason of legislation apparently based on religious norms, women are reportedly victims of discrimination in many areas, including divorce, custody of children and transmission of citizenship. The Nationality Act is said to provide for transmission of citizenship solely by the father. Consequently, a Brunei Darussalam woman married to a foreigner would be unable to transmit her citizenship to her children even if they were born in Brunei Darussalam. Bulgaria 20. In December 1998, a Jehovah’s Witness was allegedly imprisoned, in accordance with a judicial decision upheld by the Court of Cassation, because of his conscientious objection to military service. This sentence seems to be inconsistent with both the Constitution, which guarantees the right to perform alternative service, and a law on alternative service that was adopted in October 1998 and entered into force on 1 January 1999. 21. Bulgaria confirmed the sentences and the detention of the Jehovah’s Witness in question, but stated that this person had been pardoned by the Vice-President of the Republic and released on 8 March 1999. The Special Rapporteur thanks Bulgaria for its prompt response and, while warmly welcoming the pardon, wishes to know whether this measure, which does not solve the problem of principle, was motivated by the apparent inconsistency of the detention with the Constitution and the new legislation on alternative service. 22. According to a second communication, since 1998, the Ministry of Education has reportedly introduced an optional course on religions into the secondary school curriculum. It is alleged that this course, designed to reflect all religions, in fact pays more attention in the textbooks to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The Muslim community is said to have complained of the inadequate treatment accorded to Islam in the course and its textbooks.