A/53/279 34. The Special Rapporteur believes that a report systematically covering all States and all religions and beliefs would remedy the above-mentioned gaps and weaknesses. Such a report should contain an analysis on each State to ensure that the economic, social, cultural, civil and political context is taken into account in the examination of cases and situations of intolerance and discrimination. The report would require a minimum level of resources which the United Nations appears to lack: essentially, human and financial resources. Lastly, with respect to sources of information, while remaining constantly vigilant with regard to the reliability and credibility of his sources, the Special Rapporteur believes that sources of information in developing countries should be strengthened to ensure that all victims of human rights violations and defenders of human rights have access to the mechanisms of the special procedures and to information, particularly through modern communications technologies (fax, Internet, etc.). 35. Thus, the Special Rapporteur’s report should be read solely in the limited context of his mandate and activities and in relation to the parameters described above. 36. Since the fifty-fourth session of the Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur has sent 50 communications (including three urgent appeals to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Sudan) to 42 States: Afghanistan (2), Albania, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Eritrea, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, India (2), Indonesia (2), Iran (Islamic Republic of) (4), Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldavia, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan (2), Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Uzbekistan (2). 37. With respect to the replies received from States, it should be noted that, as at the date of finalization of the report, the deadline for replying had not yet expired for the communications sent to the following 18 States: Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, China, Georgia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Kazakhstan, Moldavia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uzbekistan. 38. The 29 States for which the deadline for reply has expired are Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Eritrea, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of) (3 reminders including 2 urgent appeals), the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Romania, the Sudan 8 (2 reminders, including 1 urgent appeal), the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. Of those States, 5 have replied: Bhutan, Eritrea, Myanmar, the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. 39. This year, the Special Rapporteur decided to provide a short summary of each communication examined, together with any replies received from States; he is, however, aware of the reductionist effect of this method. 40. In the case of Afghanistan, the communications concerned the veritable apartheid directed against women by the Taliban on the basis of their particular interpretation of Islam: women are excluded from society, employment and schools, required to wear a burqa in public and forbidden to travel with any man other than a family member. 41. In the Province of Cabinda, Angola, the Angolan army reportedly massacred 21 Christians, including one deacon. 42. In Azerbaijan, Jehovah’s Witnesses and other religious communities were reportedly subjected to acts of intolerance whereby they were forced to pay bribes to the officials responsible for the registration procedure. One pastor, a Muslim convert to Christianity, was allegedly imprisoned on two occasions in 1997. 43. In Bhutan, Buddhism is said to enjoy preferential status. In the schools, the practice of this religion is reportedly compulsory for all, on pain of sanctions. Furthermore, several Buddhist monks and professors of religion were reportedly arrested in 1997 for having participated in peaceful demonstrations. Monasteries believed to be associated with these demonstrations are said to have been closed by the authorities. 44. The Government of Bhutan transmitted detailed information on the current and historical situation of religions in that country and explained that while there were two primary recognized religions, Buddhism and Hinduism, Bhutanese were free to practice and profess the religion of their choice. It noted that proselytism in public was subject to restrictions under a National Assembly resolution of 1974. It also explained that religious instruction and practice were not part of the curriculum except in monastic schools, and that a prayer to the Goddess of Wisdom, who is common to both Buddhism and Hinduism, was recited each morning in all schools and that evening prayers were recited in boarding schools at the secondary level. The Government stated that these prayers had not posed any problem. The Bhutanese authorities stated: “Allegations of arrests of monks and religious teachers have been made in the context of allegations