A/59/366 wearing of symbols or clothing manifesting a religious affiliation “in a conspicuous manner” is prohibited (article 1 of the law). The law does not provide a rigid definition of what constitutes a “conspicuous” manifestation, and it has been stressed that the law will be implemented with a “concern for constant dialogue and education”. The objective of the law is to solemnly reaffirm that the public schools are places for the transmission of knowledge whose neutrality must be preserved and where equality between girls and boys must be defended as an inviolate principle. Freedom of expression of religious belief is circumscribed only by the rights of others and the need to respect the rules of society. 37. In addition, the French authorities are making every effort to give proper attention to the teaching of religion in the public school, in particular by providing initial and continuing training to teachers so that they will be properly equipped to deal with questions relating to religion. By the establishment of the Conseil français du culte musulman, Islam has been given its proper place among the great religions practised in France. The goal of the Conseil is to facilitate dealing with all the questions relating to the organization of the Muslim religion in France and to be the interlocuteur of the authorities. Finally, the President of the Republic has established an Interministerial Committee to Combat Racism and Anti-Semitism which has put into place a programme of targeted actions (deployment of police, mobilization of appropriate judicial measures, carrying out public works) to strengthen the security of places of worship following the profanations and acts of violence against several of them, Jewish, Christian and Muslim. India 38. On 15 March 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent to the Government of India information stating that, on 17 January 2004, Fr. Stanny Ferreira, the Salesian parish priest of Alirajpur, was attacked and severely beaten by a crowd following the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl who was found in the diocesan mission compound in Jhabua on 11 January 2004. It was reported that on 13 January 2004, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Sangh Parivar declared a day of protest, allegedly accusing Christians of the murder. Groups related to the Sangh Parivar allegedly held processions during which effigies of the bishop and priests were burnt, slogans against Christianity were shouted and inflammatory leaflets against Christianity were distributed. On 15 January 2004, a non-Christian individual who worked in an office near the church allegedly admitted having committed the murder. 39. The Special Rapporteur also mentioned that, on 16 January 2004, a crowd reportedly forcibly entered the premises of the Church of North India mission in the village of Amjut and distributed anti-Christian material, disrupted exams and tore down religious posters. Inhabitants of this predominantly Christian village, many of whom are second- or third-generation Bhil converts, reportedly started throwing stones at the attackers, forcing them to flee. It was reported that, in retaliation, armed Hindu activists descended on the village and the ensuing clashes led to one death and several injuries. 40. Finally, the Special Rapporteur submitted information about numerous Muslim men who had been illegally detained since March 2003 in the Gayakwad Haveli Police Station in Ahmedabad. It was alleged that the Prevention of Terrorism Act is being used arbitrarily and punitively against Muslims. Police regularly threaten to charge those detained and their relatives under the Act if prisoners fail to cooperate 9