E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.3 Page 2 Summary From 2 to 12 May 2005, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief carried out a visit to Sri Lanka with a view to assessing the situation of freedom of religion or belief in the country, in particular in the light of recent reports of attacks against certain religious groups, allegations of unethical conversions and the introduction of draft laws criminalizing certain acts aimed at converting anyone to another religion. In the present report, she condemns the attacks that have been carried out against members of the Christian minorities and criticizes the passive attitude of the Government. She urges the Government to take systematic action, including through its judicial apparatus, to address these attacks. Moreover, noting certain instances of the use of improper ways of persuading people to change their religion by some religious groups, the Special Rapporteur calls on those groups to respect the religions of others and not to use aggressive forms of proselytism, which could disturb the atmosphere of religious harmony and exacerbate religious tensions. However, she advises against the adoption of draft laws that would criminalize certain acts aimed at converting anyone to another religion as their implementation would lead to human rights violations, and because they are not an appropriate response to the current religious tensions.