E/CN.4/1996/95
page 8
anti-Islamic by Islamic plaintiffs. Professor Abu Zeid was allegedly declared
an apostate by the court and required to divorce from his wife. The Egyptian
authorities have not so far replied to the urgent appeal (to which a follow-up
letter was sent).
40.
In the case of China, the first urgent appeal concerned
Father Chadrel Rimpoché, head of the committee to seek to identify
the successor to the Panchen Lama, and his assistant, who were allegedly
arrested at Chengdu on 17 May 1995. The monks of Tashilhampo Monastery are
also reportedly compelled to undergo re-education sessions on the issue of
choosing the successor to the Panchen Lama. The second urgent appeal
concerned Mr. Yulo Dawa Tsering, a high-ranking Tibetan monk who was released
on 6 November 1994, and whom the Special Rapporteur consulted during his visit
to China. Mr. Yula Dawa Tsering is allegedly being held incommunicado in the
Rabses district of Lhasa. The Special Rapporteur drew attention to the
commitment made by the Chinese authorities during his visit that
Mr. Yula Dawa Tsering would not suffer in any way as a result of his
interview.
41.
The Special Rapporteur is still waiting for a reply from the Chinese
authorities to these two urgent appeals (the first appeal having been followed
by a reminder).
42.
From the analysis of the communications, the following is a very general
classification of the religious communities against which attacks have
allegedly taken place:
(a)
Christianity:
Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Cambodia,
China, Egypt, Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal,
Nicaragua, Pakistan, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia,
Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Sudan, Turkey, Ukraine,
Uzbekistan, Viet Nam;
(b)
Islam:
Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Mauritania, Myanmar, Turkey, Yemen;
(c)
Buddhism:
China, Viet Nam;
(d)
Judaism:
Belarus;
(e)
Other religions and
religious groups:
(i)
Ahmadis:
Bangladesh;
(ii)
Baha’is:
Armenia;
(iii)
(iv)
Pentecostals:
Armenia;
Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Armenia, Austria, Cyprus,
Eritrea, Russian Federation,
Singapore;