E/CN.4/1999/58/Add.1 page 22 federal water and forest service. The other case concerns the complex and sensitive situation resulting from the Relocation Act (25 USC) following a land dispute between two Native American tribes, the Navajos and the Hopis; in connection with the resettlement of families from these two tribes in the Black Mesa region of Arizona, the Navajos consider that their right of access to their sacred sites in the area allocated to the Hopis is not respected; the Hopis for their part consider that their religion and its practices should also be respected (for further details, see the report entitled “Hopi-Navajo relocations”, prepared by Erica-Irene A. Daes and John Carey E/CN.4/Sub.2/1989/35, parts I and II). 64. A second series of complaints relates to ceremonial instruments and objects (eagles' feathers, tobacco, cactus, peyotl, etc.). Persons having them in their possession sometimes run into serious difficulties, including confiscation, especially at frontiers, arrest and prosecution, for the reasons given in the section on legal issues (see in particular the Smith case). A third series of complaints concerns the restitution and non-profanation of human remains, particularly on the part of the scientific community, a problem mentioned in that same section. 65. A fourth category of complaint concerns Native American prisoners (some 7,000) in the United States prison system, both State and federal. Sweat lodges (for cleansing and purification ceremonies), long hair worn in a traditional fashion, headbands, medicine bags, possession of sage, cedar and tobacco and other practices have been banned as “security risks” by one prison or another. Concerning the question of cutting the hair of Native American prisoners, many individuals asserted that this act was tantamount to castration. According to the information received, enforcement of and compliance with laws and regulations have not been uniform and lawsuits filed to enforce existing laws have resulted in contradictory decisions. The freedom of religion of Native American prisoners has depended upon the whim of individual prison officials. Lawsuits are pending and complaints have been filed against the Departments of Correction of Texas, California, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nevada, Missouri, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Arizona. 66. Finally, a fifth category of complaints concerns children asked in certain schools to cut their hair. Children placed in non-Native American adoptive families and institutions are also a problem, because their links with traditional Native American religion are broken. 67. During official consultations, State department representatives said that there were many problems relating to Native Americans. However, while recognizing the existence of very serious abuses in the past, they emphasized that recent years had been marked by progress towards greater protection and autonomy for indigenous peoples. They also explained that the process was a long-term one. 68. Officials from the Departments of Justice and the Interior described past United States policy as destructive towards Native Americans and biased in favour of the country's economic interests. According to them, President Clinton's policy, on the contrary, took account of Native Americans' interests. They stressed nonetheless the difficulties caused by the conflict