A/53/279 particular, between the Orthodox and Greek Catholic Churches. 67. In the United Kingdom, the Runnymede Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia has reportedly called for an end to all prejudice against Muslims in the media and the workplace and for the granting of Government subsidies for Muslim schools. 68. The Government noted that the United Kingdom, unlike Northern Ireland, had no legislation on religious discrimination. It emphasized that it was dealing with the matter and that with the agreement of Cabinet colleagues, the Home Secretary had decided that the Home Office would commission research into the nature and extent of religious discrimination in Great Britain. After 18 months, a decision on appropriate action would be taken on the basis of the studies carried out: “The Home Secretary responded positively to the report of the Runnymede Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia. The Government is currently considering the report, which raises a number of wide-ranging issues. Regarding State funding for Muslim schools, under the 1996 Education Act, it is open to independent promoters, including existing independent schools, to seek approval from the Government for the establishment of new voluntary-aided schools. All proposals are judged on their individual merits, taking into account educational needs and parental demand.” The Government also stated that in January 1998, it had approved the granting of State subsidies for two proposed independent Muslim schools in London and Birmingham. 69. In the Sudan, an urgent appeal was received concerning the arrest and disappearance of Nasir Hassan, a student at Bishop Gwynne Theological College in Juba, for having converted from Islam to Christianity. Another communication alleged that the Catholic Club in Khartoum had been closed by decree, despite the protests of the Catholic Church. 70. In Sri Lanka, Catholic, Protestant and Hindu places of worship are reportedly the primary targets of violence. 71. In Turkey, religious leaders and property (churches, cemeteries) of Christian communities, particularly those of the Greek Catholic Church, are said to be the targets of acts of violence, including bombings (including that of the Ecumenical Patriarchate headquarters) and the murder of a priest. The police and security services have reportedly failed to identify and arrest the persons responsible for those acts. Furthermore, the authorities are reported to have closed a Pentecostal church despite official authorization for its existence. 72. In Turkmenistan, with the exception of the Russian Orthodox Church, those espousing minority religions and beliefs are said to be subjected to acts of intolerance and discrimination. 73. In Ukraine, in the town of Sebastopol, difficulties are reported to have arisen over the restitution of a Catholic place of worship confiscated under the previous regime. 74. An analysis of communications in the light of the principles, rights and freedoms enunciated in the 1981 Declaration gives rise to the following categories of violations: (a) Violations of the principle of non-discrimination in the matters of religion and belief: policies, legislation and regulations, practices and acts that discriminate against the religion and beliefs of certain communities, especially when such communities are minorities or are not part of the official religion or recognized religions and beliefs, and discrimination against women based on interpretations of religion and on traditions that claim to be based on religion and belief; (b) Violations of the principle of tolerance in matters of religion and belief: policies, practices and acts of religious intolerance on the part of the State and society, particularly communities, political, religious and other non-State groups most clearly seen in the problem of religious extremism (between faiths and within branches of the same faith); (c) Violations of freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief: policies, laws and regulations, practices and acts that are at variance with the principle of conscientious objection and the freedom to change and keep one’s religion or belief; (d) Violations of the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief: policies, laws and regulations, practices and acts that have the effect of controlling, interfering with, banning and improperly restricting the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief; (e) Violations of the freedom to dispose of religious property: policies, practices and acts that violate the freedom to dispose of religious property characterized by the refusal to release confiscated religious property; refusal to provide access to places of worship (not permitting the construction and renting of premises); the closing of, attacks on, and destruction of places of worship and religious schools and cemeteries; (f) Violations of the right to life, physical integrity and health of individuals (clergy and believers): policies, practices and acts taking the form of threats, mistreatment, 11