A/59/366 children. In one case, when filling out the birth registration form for their newborn, the parents reportedly left the space for religion blank, knowing that “Bahá’í” would not be accepted. According to a decision of 16 September 2003 issued by the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior, it is allegedly not permissible to leave the space for religion blank on an official registration form, nor is it permissible to write in any religion other than those recognized — Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Moreover, the decision reportedly states that it is not permissible for the father of a child to follow the Christian faith while the mother is a Muslim, “as this violates the public order”. This was said to be the case of the family referred to in the Special Rapporteur’s communication. 25. On 30 March 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent to the Government information according to which four Coptic college students had been arrested in the southern Sinai region on 26 January 2004, charged with forming a group that poses a threat to national unity and social peace. They continue to be imprisoned. 26. On 7 May 2004, the Government replied that Bolis Rezek-Allah and his wife Enas Yahya Abd al-Aziz Mahmud had used fake identity cards and birth certificates to get married. Mr. Rezek-Allah was arrested on 25 February 2003 and later released on bail, but his name was added to a list of persons who are prohibited from travelling pending the completion of an investigation. 27. With regard to the attack on the Coptic monastery, the competent authorities have explained that, for compelling military reasons, any new wall or installation erected along the Cairo-Suez desert highway must be sited at a distance of 100 meters from the edge of the highway. The monastery failed to comply with this rule. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III was contacted for a meeting with two senior Ministry of Defence officials and an agreement was reached that the Ministry would build the installations, at the Ministry’s expense and with the same specifications. 28. On the same day, the Government replied to the second communication and stated that, in January 2004, John Adel Fokha, Andew Saeed, Peter Nady Kemel Baqtar and Ishak Dawood Yessa Laklha had been arrested in Naweebaand and charged with forming a group for the purpose of undermining national unity; possession of publications and recordings aimed at achieving that purpose; exploiting religion and making false claims, by word and in writing, with a view to provoking social strife and threatening social peace. Their period of remand in custody was extended several times until they were released on bail on 3 April 2004. The proceedings initiated against these persons were consistent with the law. Eritrea 29. On 15 March 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent to the Government of Eritrea information according to which, in November 2003, a pastor of the Kale Hiwot (World of Life) Evangelical Christian Church and seven unnamed members of his congregation had been held incommunicado at a police station in Mendefera. The main Kale Hiwot church in Asmara was reportedly closed down by soldiers in October 2003, allegedly as part of the Government’s actions to restrict religious freedom. 30. In early 2003, the authorities allegedly began a pattern of arrests of members of several of these churches, breaking into church services and ceremonies, illegally detaining members for indefinite periods without charge and subjecting prisoners to 7