A/54/386 of Saudi Arabia whether the allegations were correct and to give its views and observations concerning these allegations, in particular whether the alleged situation of women is based on religious norms. 44. Azerbaijan. The national legislation reportedly does not guarantee the right to conscientious objection on grounds of religious belief. 45. The Government of Azerbaijan replied that the State Military Commissioner had no case on record of citizens objecting to military service on religious grounds, and that the Constitution and the legislation provided for alternative service for conscientious objectors. 46. Bangladesh. Despite legislation that guarantees freedom of religion and its manifestations, in fact foreign missionaries reportedly have to limit their religious activities, particularly those addressed to Muslims. Where women are concerned, the Muslim Family Ordinance reportedly places them in a disadvantageous position where divorce is concerned. In addition, despite the existence of legislation protecting women against arbitrary action where divorce is concerned, these provisions reportedly do not cover unregistered traditional marriages in rural areas. In December 1998, a decision by the Supreme Court overruling a verdict which recognized the right of a divorced Muslim wife to alimony from her former husband until she remarried or died is said to have resulted in the restoration of a law limiting the payment of alimony to only three months. 47. Belarus. A 1995 directive by the Cabinet of Ministers reportedly restricts the religious activities of foreign missionaries exclusively to institutions which invited them. Unregistered religious organizations are said not to be authorized to invite foreign religious personnel. Moreover, local authorities reportedly refused requests by Seventh Day Adventists to rent public buildings for religious purposes, which it is said poses a problem in that in many places no private place of worship is said to be available to them. 48. Brunei Darussalam. By reason of legislation apparently based on religious norms, women are reportedly victims of discrimination in many areas, including divorce, custody of children and transmission of citizenship. The Nationality Act is said to provide for transmission of citizenship solely by the father. Consequently, a Brunei Darussalam woman married to a foreigner would be unable to transmit her citizenship to her children even if they were born in Brunei Darussalam. 8 49. Bulgaria. Since 1998, the Ministry of Education has reportedly introduced an optional course on religions into the secondary school curriculum. It is alleged that this course, designed to reflect all religions, in fact pays more attention in the textbooks to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The Muslim community is said to have complained of the inadequate treatment accorded to Islam in the course and its textbooks. 50. Cape Verde. In July 1998, three Seventh Day Adventists were reportedly arrested after being accused by the police of setting fire to and stealing from Catholic churches. Despite the apparent absence of proof, two of the accused are said to be still in detention, and the third to have been released pending a trial that has been postponed several times. 51. China. In January 1999, the Tibetan Communist Party Propaganda in Lhasa reportedly launched a threeyear campaign to promote atheism in order to undermine the influence of Buddhism and of the Dalai Lama. In Beijing in April 1999, more than 10,000 members of the Falun Gong movement are said to have demonstrated in protest against the arrest of a number of their fellow members who opposed the ban on their leader’s writings. The activities of Falun Gong are also reportedly banned in a number of towns in the north-east. 52. Cyprus. According to various sources, the policy of intolerance and religious discrimination in the territories under the control of the Turkish army is continuing. The church of Panayia Chriseleousa in Katopia village is said to have been converted into a mosque, while the oldest church in the village has reportedly been stripped of its contents. The church of Saint Afxentios in Komi Kepir village has also reportedly been subjected to acts of vandalism, inter alia theft of the frescoes. 53. Comoros. The religious activities of Christians are said to be restricted when they are addressed to Muslims. 54. Côte d’Ivoire. Muslims are reportedly discriminated against in the allocation of community radio stations. Whereas the Catholic community is said to have received official approval for four radio stations, the Muslims have allegedly been deprived of them in that the authorities made it a condition that all the Muslim associations should agree to share a single radio frequency. An agreement of this kind within the Muslim community, which has a wealth of diverse associations but cannot be likened to a single, hierarchized church represented by a single official, is reportedly not possible. This situation, it is argued, prevents the establishment of Muslim radio stations. In November 1998, 60 Seventh Day Adventists were