E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.3 page 5 during the duration of the visit and provided invaluable assistance in the organization of different meetings. 9. Lastly, she would like to thank the United Nations Development Programme in Colombo which assisted in organizing all practical aspects and logistics related to the visit. In particular, she would like to express her gratitude for the invaluable assistance of the Senior Human Rights Adviser to the United Nations Country Team. 10. During her visit and in this report, the Special Rapporteur has concentrated on the situation of freedom of religion or belief in Sri Lanka including in the light of recent reports related to the attacks on certain religious groups, allegations of unethical conversions, and the introduction of draft laws criminalizing certain attempts/acts intending to convert anyone to another religion. She has also collected information on various problems faced by different religious minorities. 11. Finally, the Special Rapporteur deplores the fact that after her visit attempts were made by individuals and certain groups to intimidate and pressurize her, possibly to influence her conclusions. She also received a communication from one group challenging her impartiality. She regrets that the content of this communication was misleading and mischievous. I. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS 12. Sri Lanka is a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict; and the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. 13. The Special Rapporteur would like to recall the text of article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): “1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. “2. No one shall be subject to coercion that would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. “3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals. “4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.”

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