E/CN.4/2001/0063 page 7 During the inquiry, it also appeared that the activities of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the district were not limited to the refinery. Among other things, it was established that the members of the sect met regularly in an apartment located in an apartment building in Lokbatan. Those meetings, which were also attended by minors, were organized by the occupants of the apartment, Remi and Galina Remiev. In addition to spreading propaganda at the various religious meetings, the members of the sect collected money on the pretext of asking for charity. Administrative action was also taken against Remi and Galina Remiev on the basis of the available evidence. After considering the case, the district administrative committee took the required decisions in the context of the administrative actions. On 3 January 2000, the persons against whom the judgements had been made appealed against the administrative committee’s decision of 9 December 1999 before the district court, without obtaining satisfaction. Following the decision of the district court, the persons in question filed an appeal with the court of cassation in Baku; this case has not yet been decided. In addition, the former employees of the plant applied to the district court to be reinstated in their jobs at the plant. The civil proceedings are now in progress. Even before the case was considered by the court, however, the director of the refinery, at his own initiative, reinstated the employees, who are now back at work.” 16. The Special Rapporteur, while noting the need to ensure respect for legal provisions regarding working conditions, wishes to recall the international rules on freedom of religion and belief and to emphasize that restrictions on freedom to express one’s religion or belief should be consistent with international law. 17. According to a second communication, authorities in the Passports Department of the Ministry of the Interior, relying on their interpretation of section 6 of the Arrivals, Departures and Passports Act, which stipulates that citizens must supply a photograph showing them as they normally appear and without a hat, refused all photographs showing women wearing the hijab. However, on 10 August 1999, the Nasimi district court reportedly ruled that the Passport Department must issue a passport to women wearing the hijab. The district procurator’s office is reported to have appealed this decision to a higher court, which in turn upheld the August 1999 decision. The Vice-President of the Supreme Court, on the other hand, is reported to have overturned that decision. In 2000, many women wearing the hijab again filed an appeal with the Procurator-General which was reportedly rejected. Belarus 18. The Constitution and the law governing compulsory universal military service make provision for a civilian alternative to compulsory military service, yet no implementing legislation exists. Consequently, during 2000, Valanstin Hulai and M. Mikhaltso, Jehovah’s Witnesses, were charged in Rechytsa with desertion, even though they had asked to perform alternative civilian service owing to their conscientious objector status.