E/CN.4/1999/58 page 23 Uzbekistan 83. In the town of Nukus, a pastor responsible for evangelical activities among Muslims was reportedly sentenced to two years' forced labour and internal exile for organizing illegal church services. The authorities allegedly called for the cessation of all Christian activities, including proselytizing outside of churches. 84. Uzbekistan replied that its laws and their enforcement guaranteed freedom of religion and belief. The Ministry of the Interior had no record of the arrest and sentence of a pastor in the town of Nukus. The Special Rapporteur is grateful to the authorities for their assurances of full cooperation in more detailed investigations. Pakistan 85. A number of Ahmadis were reportedly sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemy when they were preaching their faith, which some Muslims regarded as an attack on their religious beliefs. Muslim militants allegedly killed Judge Arif Iqbal Bhatti for acquitting Christians charged with blasphemy. Bishop John Joseph reportedly committed suicide to protest the death penalty passed on a Christian accused of blasphemy. Muslim extremists allegedly committed acts of intolerance against the Christian community, at the same time calling for the blasphemy laws to be maintained. Lao People's Democratic Republic 86. A number of Christians were allegedly arrested at a Bible study meeting. Some were reportedly convicted for creating divisions and undermining the Government, and for receiving funds from abroad. In Huei Say Province a priest was reportedly arrested for preaching his religion without official authorization. In Xiengkhouang a soldier was apparently arrested for converting to Christianity and for his links with the American Presbyterian Church. 87. The Lao People's Democratic Republic has replied that its legislation guaranteed freedom of religion and belief and that the Christian community freely practised its religion and lived in harmony with the Buddhist community. Any act that ran counter to the law was punished regardless of its perpetrator's belief. The authorities declared that they were obliged to take appropriate action against a group of individuals using religion for political ends. 88. The Special Rapporteur wishes to stress that political manipulation of religious matters may not, where it exists, be covered by international standards relating to freedom of religion or belief. Political activities are governed by separate international standards. Republic of Moldova 89. The law on preaching is allegedly not in conformity with international standards in that it fails to guarantee protection of freedom of religion