A/HRC/4/21/Add.1 page 71 respectful attitude to generally recognized norms and values in the spiritual sphere of society is one of the main principles applied to the formulation and realization of State policy in Turkmenistan. In this connection, Turkmenistan has been and remains committed to the unswerving and consistent conduct of policy for the comprehensive implementation of safeguards in the field of human rights and freedoms, including in the area of religion and belief. 298. Article 11 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan stipulates that “the State guarantees freedom of religion and faith and the equality of religions and faiths before the law. Religious organizations are separate from the State, and may not interfere in its affairs or perform Governmental functions. Everyone has the right independently to determine his or her own religious preference, to practice any religion alone or in association with others or to practice no religion, to express and disseminate beliefs related to religious preference, and to participate in the performance of religious services, rituals and ceremonies”. 299. Furthermore, Turkmenistan has proclaimed by law its obligations towards the international community in the field of human rights. The Declaration on the international human rights obligations of neutral Turkmenistan, adopted by the People’s Council (Khalk Maslakhaty) on 27 December 1995, states that “Turkmenistan guarantees to everyone the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, laws and generally accepted norms of international law without any distinction as to race, sex, language, religion, place of residence, political and other beliefs, ethnic or social origin, wealth, official or other status”. 300. These principles were set forth in the Constitutional Act on the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan passed on 27 December 1995, under which “Turkmenistan recognizes and respects the core of democratic rights and liberties of individuals and citizens adopted by the international community and enshrined in the norms of international law, and shall furnish political, economic, legal and other guarantees of their enjoyment in practice. Turkmenistan shall ensure the equality of all nations and peoples, freedom of religion and freedom of confession”. 301. The Government also indicates that religious organizations and groups in the territory of Turkmenistan are registered under its legislation and in compliance with generally accepted international norms, regardless of their size, belief and religion. This is evidenced by the fact that religious organizations and groups of Muslims, Orthodox Christians, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Bahá’ís, Evangelical Christian Baptists, Hare Krishna, the Church of Christ, the Greater Grace Evangelical Church, the Light of the East Evangelical Church, the Full Gospel Christian Church and the New Apostolic Church are now officially registered and functioning in Turkmenistan. 302. The Government also notes, at the same time, that, on the basis of the humanist traditions of the Turkmen people and guided by the principles of justice, clemency and philanthropy, pardons were granted to 10 people convicted of evading service in the army (they belonged, in their own words, to a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses) in 2004-2005. Despite the fact that these persons had committed an offence, i.e. refusal to perform military duties, which is a constitutional obligation for a Turkmenistan citizen, they were pardoned. 303. There are no instances of the detention of people on account of their beliefs, or of the application of administrative sanctions against them. With regard to the persons mentioned in communication sent, D. Ereshova and A. Tuyliyeva, who are members of a group of Jehovah’s