E/CN.4/1993/62 page 39 Indonesia 35. In a communication sent on 1 November 1991 addressed to the Government of Indonesia, the following information was transmitted by the Special Rapporteur (document E/CN.4/1992, para. 49): "According to the information received, followers of the Baha’i faith in Indonesia have been subjected to systematic persecution solely on the basis of their religious beliefs. It has been alleged that all Baha’i administrative institutions have been dissolved, all Baha’i schools closed and all of their properties, including a National Centre, have been confiscated. It has further been reported that members of the Baha’i community have been subjected to surveillance, arbitrary arrests and detention and that a number of Baha’is have been imprisoned from periods ranging from a few days up to five years. Their employment and promotion opportunities have reportedly also been restricted. It has been alleged that Baha’is have been pressured to renounce their faith and invited to adopt one of the five other religions recognized under the Constitution. Baha’is have allegedly been asked to formally renounce practising their faith, both privately and publicly and continue to not be allowed to pray even in the privacy of their own homes. Baha’i children are said to have been expelled from school and their books have been seized." 36. On 16 December 1991, the Government of Indonesia replied to the letter which the Special Rapporteur had sent it on 1 November 1991: "I. General Observations 1. The Indonesian position on similar allegations concerning religious intolerance has been repeatedly stated in our replies to your communications, dated 8 December 1989 and 15 November 1990, which were also included in the Report of the Special Rapporteur to the forty-seventh session of the Commission on Human Rights. In view of the repetition of the allegations, the Government of Indonesia would like only to underline some points. 2. As is known, Indonesia is a nation composed of hundreds of ethnic groups spread all over the archipelago while religions and belief in God have strong roots in the history and culture of the Indonesian people. Therefore, since the birth of the Indonesian Republic, the Government of Indonesia has always guaranteed every citizen the freedom to adhere to his or her religion. This is reflected in the State Philosophy and the National Constitution of 1945 which stipulates that the State shall be based upon belief in the One Supreme God, and guarantee every resident the freedom to adhere to his respective religion and to perform his own religious duties in conformity with that faith. 3. The policy adopted by the Government of Indonesia, therefore, does not impose limitations and restrictions on, nor does it interfere in the internal matters of, any religion recognized in Indonesia. This, however, does not imply that the Government would remain indifferent should there be activities which may disrupt the three principles of religious harmony: