A/51/542 English Page 8 32. The first category concerns violations of the principle of non-discrimination in religion and belief. It involves allegations of discriminatory policies and/or legislation and regulations in regard to religion and belief, such as those against Christians and Shiites in Saudi Arabia; against non-Muslims in Brunei Darussalam and Maldives; against Christians in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; and against Christians and Muslims in Israel. In Eritrea, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are also alleged to have suffered discrimination for expressing their religious beliefs. In addition, Bulgaria’s alleged refusal to grant official recognition to religious groups such as the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance, most Christian missions, independent churches and theological institutes is a violation of the principle of non-discrimination. The same is true of bans on specific religious communities, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Baha’is and Darul Arqam in Indonesia; the Al Arqam group in Malaysia; and the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church in Singapore. The Special Rapporteur sent a communication to the United Kingdom authorities concerning the publication of newspaper articles conveying a negative and discriminatory image of Muslims. Violations of the principle of non-discrimination are also found indirectly in the five other categories of violations. 33. The second category concerns violations of the principle of tolerance in the area of religion and belief and reflects the Special Rapporteur’s concern about religious extremism. Such extremism may threaten an entire society (Yemen), certain categories of individuals such as artists (Chad) or teachers (Egypt), or certain religious minorities (Mexico and Somalia). It is important to note that religious extremism acts as a cancer in any religious group, whatever the denomination, and that it affects the members of that group just as much as those of other religious groups. 34. The third category concerns violations of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief. The question of conscientious objection is raised directly through allegations of prosecution, loss of citizenship rights (Eritrea) and/or imprisonment for refusing to perform military service (Cyprus, Croatia, Russian Federation, Singapore). Other allegations raise the problem of the absence of legal recognition of the right of conscientious objection (Eritrea, Singapore) and, notably, the absence of alternative service (Russian Federation) or even of legal provisions recognizing the concept of conscientious objection and providing for unarmed military service, an omission at variance with international law (Cyprus). Some allegations refer to an official campaign to force believers to renounce their faith (Lao People’s Democratic Republic). The freedom to change one’s religion is also being violated, as shown by allegations of prohibitions on converting to another religion (Bhutan, Maldives) of prosecution (Kuwait) or under threat of ill-treatment (Mexico). 35. The fourth category concerns violations of the right to manifest one’s religion or belief. It covers allegations of control of religious activities by the authorities (Armenia, Japan) which may take the form of restrictions on, or even the prohibition of, public manifestations (China, Maldives, Romania) or private manifestations (China, Saudi Arabia), of religious beliefs and practices by certain religious groups, certain categories of persons - notably foreigners (Belarus, Ukraine) and certain professional bodies such as the army (banning of religious services other than those of the official religion in Bolivia). /...