E/CN.4/1999/58 page 8 Commissioner for Human Rights, which sponsored a seminar on “enriching the universality of human rights: Islamic perspectives on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” (Geneva, 9-10 November 1998). III. IN SITU VISITS AND FOLLOW-UP 17. In accordance with Commission on Human Rights and General Assembly resolutions, the Special Rapporteur generally makes two in situ visits a year to States with different political, economic, social and religious systems. Ten visits have taken place since 1994: China (November 1994; E/CN.4/1995/91); Pakistan (June 1995; E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.1); Iran (December 1995; E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2); Greece (June 1996; A/51/542/Add.1); Sudan (September 1996, A/51/542/Add.2); India (December 1996; E/CN.4/1997/91/Add.1); Australia (February-March 1997; E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.1); and Germany (September 1997; E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.2); in January and February of this year, the Special Rapporteur visited the United States of America and Viet Nam (reports to be submitted to the fifty-fifth session of the Commission as documents E/CN.4/1999/58/Adds.1 and 2). The Special Rapporteur has received an invitation to visit Turkey in 1999. Requests to visit Indonesia, Mauritius, Israel and the Russian Federation have not yet been acted on. 18. With reference to the difficulties of varying importance, encountered during his visits to the United States of America and Viet Nam, the Special Rapporteur reiterates that he alone is responsible for preparing and conducting missions, in connection with which all the parties concerned must strictly observe the rules and principles implicit in the special procedures mandate for inquiring into religious intolerance, such as the Special Rapporteur’s independence, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, and in particular, freedom to meet any individual or organization he feels could clarify various matters, with no constraints or repercussions whatever, etc. 19. The Special Rapporteur wishes to emphasize the desirability and overriding importance, both for his mandate and for his official and non-governmental interlocutors, of the above-mentioned rules and principles being respected, if he is to be able to do his job properly, namely: (a) In situ examination of incidents and governmental action inconsistent with the provisions of the 1981 Declaration and of positive experiences and initiatives in the field of tolerance and non-discrimination based on religion or belief; (b) Formulation of recommendations for use not only by the State visited, but also by the international community. In any event, the Special Rapporteur will continue to carry out his mandate in a completely independent and objective manner, regardless of conditions, and to render an account not only of the difficulties, but also of the cooperation and initiatives encountered in his work. 20. In situ visits, therefore, are in no way a reflection of reservations or nagging doubts; on the contrary, they promote dialogue and understanding which should lead to a thorough and balanced review of the situation, eschewing all Manicheism and combining positive and negative features that evolve in