E/CN.4/2004/63
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78.
In a letter dated 4 August 2003, on the attacks in Taxila and on Murree School,
the Government supplied the identity of the four individuals arrested and tried by an antiterrorist court. It stresses that these attacks must be seen in the context of the events in
Afghanistan after 11 September 2001 and that various measures have been taken to protect
certain minorities.
79.
In a letter dated 31 October 2003, the Government replied that the perpetrators of the
attack in Chianwali had been arrested and brought before the anti-terrorist court in Gujranwala.
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
80.
The first communication is dealt with in paragraph 86 of the interim report.
81.
In the second communication, the Special Rapporteur returned to the question of
the arrest of Christians in Muang Nong, drawing the Government’s attention to reports
that 12 Christians continued to be detained for not signing a statement that they “would stop
following Christ”.
Republic of Moldova
82.
See paragraphs 75 and 76 of the interim report.
83.
In a letter dated 22 July 2003, the Government replied that none of the persons
identified in the communication was a police officer in the town of Bendery and that there had
been no cases of detention involving the confiscation of religious books during the periods
indicated.
United Republic of Tanzania
84.
The authorities in Zanzibar apparently declared that the legislation obliging Muslims to
obtain the mufti’s permission before meeting must be followed to the letter, so that the
Government would be able to identify individuals trying to use religion to divide the people of
Zanzibar. Violent clashes are reported to have taken place in February 2003 between the forces
of law and order and a group of Muslims over this piece of legislation.
Romania
85.
See paragraph 87 of the interim report.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
86.
The Government reportedly proposes to make it illegal for the administrators of churches
or religious charities to obtain “digital multiplex licences”, which are vital for access to modern
technology.
87.
In a letter dated 16 September 2003, the United Kingdom Government replied that the
fact that church administrators are not able to own digital multiplex licences is a restriction