E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.3 page 3 REPORT OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF, ASMA JAHANGIR, ON HER MISSION TO SRIL LANKA (2 to 12 May 2005) Contents Paragraphs Page Introduction ………………………………………………………….. 1 – 11 4 I. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS ….. 12 – 14 5 II. RELIGION AND BELIEF IN SRI LANKA ………………... 15 – 24 6 III. LEGAL FRAMEWORK ……………………………………. 25 – 31 7 IV. INTERRELIGIONS TENSIONS …………………………… 32 – 55 8 A. Overview and background ……………………………… 32 – 42 8 B Complaints of “unethical conversions” ………………… 43 – 47 9 C Assessment of the complaints ………………………….. 48 – 51 10 D Other forms of religious tension ……………………….. 52 11 E Desecration of religious symbols ………………………. 53 – 55 11 DRAFT LEGISLATION ON “UNETHICAL CONVERSIONS” …………………………………………… 56 – 78 11 A. Background and overview 56 – 61 11 B. Content of the bills and Supreme Court determination … 62 – 69 12 C. Compatibility with the right to freedom of Religion or belief ……………………………………….. 70 – 75 13 Difficulties pertaining to the future implementation of the laws …………………………….. 76 – 78 15 REPORTS OF PERSECUTIONS OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES ……………………………………………. 79 – 104 15 A. Special cases …………………………………………… 80 – 84 16 B. Government response ………………………………….. 85 – 90 16 C. Situation of other religious groups …………………….. 91 – 104 17 RESOLVING RELIGIOUS TENSIONS AND ALTERNATIVES TO THE DRAFT LEGISLATION ON CONVERSIONS ………………………………………... 105– 107 19 VIII. EDUCATION ……………………………………………….. 108 20 IX. CONCLUSIONS ……………………………………………. 109– 124 20 X. RECOMMENDATIONS ……………………………………. 125 – 131 23 V. D. VI. VII.