A/51/542 English Page 11 religious movements and even formal religion and since in international practice confusion reigns and States may have diametrically opposed attitudes to the same group, raising it to formal religious status or pejoratively classifying it as a sect, the Special Rapporteur feels that an international high-level governmental conference should be held to study and decide upon a common approach to sects and religions that respects human rights. He stresses that identifying solutions will require great tolerance in order for compromises to be found that reconcile the necessary freedom of religion with the equally necessary preservation of integration in the national group, as well as equal respect for the law. The Special Rapporteur also recommends that the Subcommission authorize a study of the phenomenon of sects and religious freedom. 50. Moreover, the fact is that religious extremism is not yet in retreat and seems set to continue to pose a threat, sometimes to entire regions. The major religions are no strangers to extremism and are sometimes exposed to these terrorist manifestations, which spare neither Governments nor the governed. It is vital to combat this religious extremism by taking action against both its causes and its effects and by getting States to define a minimum set of common rules of conduct and behaviour with regard to it. 51. On a different level, it is of fundamental importance that places of worship should be reserved for religious, non-political uses, that the legal system governing political parties should be defined in such a way as to avoid political variables impinging on religious constants, and that schools should be protected from all ideological, political or partisan indoctrination. It is not possible to overemphasize the contribution that schools, and education in general, can make to transmitting the values associated with tolerance and freedom. 52. From this point of view, the questionnaire on religious education in primary and secondary schools could be the starting point of a process to establish certain minimum common values and principles which might serve as a foundation for a common programme to foster tolerance and non-discrimination. For this reason, the Special Rapporteur calls on all States to become involved by replying to the questionnaire, thereby showing their commitment to a culture of tolerance. 53. The Special Rapporteur also notes, on the basis of numerous communications, that the fundamental right of conscientious objection is being denied or questioned in many States. 54. The Special Rapporteur is therefore anxious to remind States of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1989/59 of 8 March 1989, which has been reaffirmed on several occasions, in which the Commission recognizes "the right of everyone to have conscientious objections to military service as a legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as laid down in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights", and recommends to States "with a system of compulsory military service, where such provision has not already been made, that they introduce for conscientious objectors various forms of alternative service" which "should be in principle of a non-combatant or civilian character, in the public interest and not of a punitive nature". /...