A/54/386 the Panorama Galatsiou region, contested by the Orthodox Church and the Old Calendarists’, the competent Greek authorities have concluded that what seems like an act of religious extremism in the information received by the Special Rapporteur is in reality a civil law controversy, upon which the competent Courts of Justice have undertaken and, as acts liable to punishment have taken place meanwhile, the case is pending before justice”. 22. India. Violence against Christians, notably in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Punjab and Maharashtra states, is reportedly continuing in the form of attacks on places of worship, property, churchgoers and clergy. This situation remains unchanged despite the assurances of the country’s highest authorities. 23. Indonesia. It is reported that, in December 1998 in Jakarta at the beginning of Ramadan, approximately one thousand Muslims attacked Catholic and Protestant places of worship as well as a Catholic school. It seems that these incidents were finally halted by the police and the army. In November 1998, sectarian clashes allegedly resulted in the deaths of 13 Christians and the destruction of churches and mosques. These events are said to have occurred in part because of religious extremism affecting the Muslim and Christian communities. 24. Iraq. The urgent appeal sent to Iraq concerned the assassination of Ayatollah Mohammad Sadeck al-Sadr and his two sons and the subsequent demonstrations by Shiites in the suburbs of Baghdad, and in Kerbala and Nassiriya. This appeal also drew attention to allegations of repression by the armed forces (25 persons assassinated and 250 injured in Baghdad). 25. The Government of Iraq replied that it was committed to guaranteeing the freedom of its various communities and religions and the security of their national and religious symbols, in accordance with the rights and guarantees of the Constitution and the national legislation. It added that the guaranteeing of the security of all Iraqi citizens was the responsibility of the Iraqi State and its people. It emphasized that the murder of Ayatollah Mohammad Sadeck al-Sadr was a great loss for Iraq since he had been a great imam and an authority on Islam, devoted to education, prayer, national unity and the fight against forces hostile to Iraq. In particular, he had called for a jihad against the imperialist forces that were oppressing the Iraqi people by means of an economic blockade and air strikes. It stated that those making accusations against Iraq without waiting for the results of the investigation under way were the same persons who had accused the Iraqi Government of imposing Ayatollah Mohammad Sadeck al-Sadr as a religious leader. The Government asked how its Government can be accused of the murder of this dignitary when he had condemned the allies of the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who, styling themselves the “Iraqi opposition”, were seeking the financial support of the American Administration for the purpose of sowing discord in Iraq. The United States and its allies should be the subject of the accusations. The allegations of demonstrations and arrests were disputed. The Government stated that Arab and foreign news services that had visited the areas concerned had reported that the situation was calm and normal, and said that it would transmit the results of the investigation under way. The Special Rapporteur is awaiting with interest the outcome of this investigation. 26. Israel. Ultra-orthodox Jews are said to be creating a climate of intolerance in Israel. In November 1998, in Kiryat Malachi, an American couple engaged in humanitarian work with Ethiopian immigrants was allegedly attacked by young ultra-orthodox Jews who suspected them of proselytizing. In the town of Beersheba (Negev), one thousand ultra-orthodox Jews (haredim), acting on a rumour spread in the synagogues alleging that the Messianic Jews intended to baptize Jewish children, are reported to have laid siege to the place of worship rented by the Messianic Jews. The police apparently guarded the building in order to maintain order, but subsequently told the leaders of the congregation that they must protect the area themselves. A chief rabbi from Beersheba spoke on television and in the newspapers of his opposition to the messianic group and its activities. It would seem that this person is in fact the brother of a member of the Knesset who supported a draft law banning religious conversion (E/CN.4/1998/6). In Mea Shearim, ultra-orthodox Jews allegedly attacked the residence of three Swiss Christians, whom they accused of proselytizing. Despite the absence of any reply by Israel, the Special Rapporteur wishes to recall the responsibility of the State in the fight against intolerance and discrimination, in this instance in respect of freedom of religion. 27. Nepal. It is alleged that, in November 1998, in Rukum, the police executed two Christian leaders of the Taka Church, whom they suspected of belonging to the Maoist organization waging a civil war in remote areas of Nepal. It would appear that the Christian community is in fact subjected to pressure by Maoists hostile to their religious practices, by the police, who execute Christians suspected of being Maoists, and by Hindu militants of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who target Christians. 5