E/CN.4/1995/91 page 38 Russian Federation In a communication dated 21 October 1994, addressed to the Government of the Russian Federation, the Special Rapporteur transmitted the following allegations: "The Special Rapporteur has been informed of the existence of restrictive bills relating to religion. These texts reportedly violate the rights of religious minorities. They are said to give priority to the Orthodox Church in respect of the restitution of land and assets confiscated under the old regime and to limit access to property for foreign religious groups." Ghana In a communication dated 5 September 1994, addressed to the Government of Ghana, the Special Rapporteur transmitted the following comments: "According to certain reports, conflicts of an ethnic and religious character that occurred in the north of the country in February 1994 caused the death of at least 1,000 people. The clashes are said to have involved mainly representatives of the Dagomba and Nunumba ethnic groups, on the one hand, and the Konkomba on the other. Many villages are reported to have been set on fire and their fleeing inhabitants pursued as far as Tamale. The Catholic church is reported to have been attacked, with Islamized Dagombas suspecting the Catholics of helping the Konkombas. Furthermore, foreign missionaries are reported to have encountered difficulties in obtaining visas and residence permits." On 14 September 1994, the Government of Ghana sent its comments on the above-mentioned communication to the Special Rapporteur: "I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Note No. G/SO 214 (56-8) of 5 September 1994 bringing to the Mission’s attention a summary of information on Ghana which has recently come to your knowledge. The so-called summary of your information purports to give the purely ethnic conflict in northern Ghana a religious undertone. I wish in this regard to assure you that Ghana is a secular State in which there is freedom of religion. Indeed, Chapter Five of Ghana’s current Constitution on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, article 26, states: ’(1) Every person is entitled to enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion, subject to the provisions of this Constitution; (2) All customary practices which dehumanize or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person are prohibited.’