E/CN.4/1995/91 page 49 faith represented there. The Christian community in India runs a wide network of churches, seminaries and welfare institutions throughout the length and breadth of the country. The Christian community [has enriched India’s national life and Indian Christians] have held and are holding the highest State and government posts. For example, the Governor of the State of Mahasrashtra, where the Christian Community Welfare Council of India is located, is himself a Christian. This is also the case with several members of the Indian Cabinet. It is evident that the Christian community could not have flourished as it has without the atmosphere of freedom and tolerance which exists in India. You would also probably be aware that Hinduism is not a proselytizing religion and it is a measure of the tolerance of the Indian secular polity that other religions and faiths, including Christianity, are permitted to proselytize. As far as the activities of foreign missionaries are concerned, while there are no restrictions on the activities of such missionaries resident in India, those of new foreign missionaries are regulated in accordance with national laws. 19. You will no doubt agree that cultures and sub-cultures abound where there is a solid ground of laws, practices and traditions respecting human rights. No civilization could have lasted and flourished for 5,000 years unless it was rooted in sound societal values of freedom, dignity and rights of human beings, who have access to their past and their culture and have responsibility for their future." Indonesia In a communication dated 20 October 1994, the Special Rapporteur transmitted the following information to the Government of Indonesia: "According to information received, followers of the Baha’i faith have continued to suffer grave violations of the right to freedom of religion. The situation of the Baha’i community, as described in report E/CN.4/1993/62, paragraph 35, is said not to have improved. Jehovah’s Witnesses are also reported to have suffered a ban. Furthermore, the cases of religious intolerance summarized below have been brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur: - In June 1992, two students, Bambab Nahya Nirbita and Ambar Widi Atmoko, were reportedly sentenced to two and a half years in prison. They are said to have been arrested following complaints lodged by certain persons who accused them of offending the Islamic religion during a sketch they performed in late April 1992. - In early January 1994, two young men, Djoni Purwoto and Sugiri Cahyono, were reportedly sentenced to four years’ and to three and a half years’ imprisonment respectively, for blasphemy. They were accused of offending the Islamic religion during a play performed at Salatiga in Central Java." The Special Rapporteur has also been informed that the 1975 Marriage Act prohibits registry offices from registering marriages of persons not belonging to one of the five known religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism).