A/53/279 arrests and detention, forced disappearances and even executions and assassinations; (g) Violations of women’s rights: this category encompasses the first six categories of violations. The most tragic example concerns the veritable policies of apartheid put in place by the Taliban in Afghanistan against women by virtue of their status as women and based on the Taliban’s particular interpretation of Islam. Under this obscurantist policy, which is the result of religious extremism that combines religion and politics in the exercise of power, women are excluded from society, considered as non-citizens and as having no rights and forced to submit to all-powerful men in the name of God. 75. Replies were received from the following States after the report to the fifty-fourth session of the Commission on Human Rights was completed: Austria, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt, the Gambia, India and Kuwait. 76. The Government of Austria explained that “men liable for military service have at least six months after induction to consider their position. Even after the six months have expired, they can still opt for civilian service up to two days before receiving their call-up orders. Consequently, this regime provides the largest possible scope for a conscript to be able to assess possible moral implications of service in the military, including after induction. Moreover, conscripts have the right to be informed in writing, namely in the Certificate of Fitness for Service which they receive after induction, how soon they are likely to be called up.” The Government explained that the duration of civilian service was not punitive in character since those performing such service enjoyed considerable advantages, compared with soldiers, in terms of less discipline and the option to choose from a wide range of social and health services. 77. The Government of Brunei Darussalam explained that the admission of foreign clergy into the country was governed by immigration laws and regulations, and not by religious considerations. Moreover, there were enough places of worship for non-Muslims, and private and public schools were open to people of all faiths. “The national school curriculum is laid down by the Ministry of Education in accordance with the national interests of Brunei Darussalam to advance its national development in a manner that will reflect the prominence of its religion, culture, society and political system.” 12 78. The Government of Egypt replied that the case of Mohammed Wagdi Durra was not related to a change of religion, which is not considered a crime, but to the disrespect of a religion and attacking a security officer in the performance of his duties, which were. A report prepared by the New York Council of Churches on relations between Muslims and Christians was also transmitted to the Special Rapporteur. It demonstrates the efforts being made by the Egyptian authorities to develop tolerance and religious freedom. 79. The Government of the Gambia explained in a detailed report that the State was a secular State and that its legislation guaranteed freedom of belief and worship. It stressed that the Ahmadis were guaranteed the enjoyment of such freedoms. The statement made by an imam against the Ahmadis at the Friday prayer in no way reflected the Government’s views and policy. The Government welcomed the Ahmadis’ contribution to the country’s socio-economic development. 80. The Government of India stated that the case against a Bombay female teacher accused of converting a pupil to Christianity was dismissed after the matter had been investigated. It added that there had been no attacks by Hindu extremists against the Catholic school where the woman taught. Concerning the clashes between Christians and Hindus in Bombay, the police had made arrests, although no charges had been made for forced conversions to Christianity. It had, however, been alleged that financial assistance had been given to destitute Hindus in order to influence their conversion to Christianity. 81. The Government of Kuwait recalled that its legislation condemned intolerance and discrimination based on religion and belief and considered such practices crimes. It noted that non-Muslims could freely practice their religion in their places of worship (there were six churches for 150,000 Christians). As to the allegation that Muslims were forbidden to embrace another religion, the Government recalled that freedom of thought was guaranteed in Kuwait. The Permanent Mission of Kuwait to the United Nations Office at Geneva had provided the Special Rapporteur with detailed and useful information on Kuwait’s policies and legislation with respect to religion and beliefs. 82. With regard to paragraph 94 of the Special Rapporteur’s previous report (E/CN.4/1986/6), in which he had noted Singapore’s failure to reply to a communication addressed to it, a correction should be inserted and a reference made to the communication from Singapore on Jehovah’s Witnesses, as reflected in paragraph 87 of the same report. 83. The Special Rapporteur has still not received replies from the following 27 States to the communications addressed