A/HRC/4/21/Add.1 page 42 and Reasons’, is to prevent “unlawful conversion” which “at times has caused annoyance in the community belonging to other religions”. Additionally such “unlawful conversions” would cause a “law and order problem for the law enforcing machinery of the State.” 171. The new legislation specifies that those found guilty of converting or attempting to convert someone through allurement or forceful or fraudulent means, could face a minimum prison term of two years or a fine which may extend to 50,000 Indian rupees (approximately US $ 1,125). The Governor of Rajasthan has refused to sign the bill on 18 May 2006. Observations 172. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that she has not received a reply from the Government concerning the above mentioned allegation. The Special Rapporteur urges the Government to ensure compliance with article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which clearly states that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion “includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practise, worship and observance”. Moreover, she reminds the Government that she is still awaiting a reply to her request to visit the country. 173. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur would like to refer to her framework for communications, more specifically to the international human rights norms and to the mandate practice concerning “Teaching and disseminating materials, including missionary activity” (see above para. 1, category I. 3. f). In her 2005 report to the General Assembly, she noted the following (see A/60/399, para. 62): “Whereas the scope of freedom afforded to persons for the practice of their religion or belief by producing and distributing information about their religion or belief is wide, certain limitations can be imposed in accordance with article 18, paragraph 3, of the Covenant. However, it should be noted that this article allows for restrictions only in very exceptional cases. In particular the fact that it mentions the protection of “fundamental rights and freedoms” (emphasis added) of others as a ground for restriction indicates a stronger protection than for some other rights whose limitation clauses refer simply to the “rights and freedoms of others” (e.g. article 12, 21 and 22). It could indeed be argued that the freedom of religion or belief of others can be regarded as such a fundamental right and freedom and would justify limitations to missionary activities, but the freedom of religion and belief of adults basically is a question of individual choice, so any generalized State limitation (e.g. by law) conceived to protect “others’” freedom of religion and belief by limiting the right of individuals to conduct missionary activities should be avoided.” Indonesia Urgent appeal sent on 19 January 2006 174. The Special Rapporteur was concerned about Ms. Lia Aminuddin, leader of the Eden Community. According to the allegations, on 28 December 2005, a group of Muslims surrounded the Eden Community’s premises on Jl. Mahoni, Jakarta, and threatened to burn it down. In response, the Jakarta police took Ms. Aminuddin and her followers into custody under the pretext of protecting them. Ms. Aminuddin was later formally charged with blasphemy. The other

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