E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.2 page 13 and from the groups and communities concerned, both those long established in Germany (Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.) and those that are of more recent origin (Unification Church, etc.). 54. The representatives of the Study Commission explained that it had been set up on the basis of article 4 of the Constitution, following complaints by victims and parents of victims of sects and psycho-groups, and by religious organizations not wishing to be equated with the groups and communities complained of. 55. It was stated that the Commission's work gave rise to misunderstandings in these groups and communities, which felt themselves to be under pressure because of the Commission's very existence and the lack of understanding of its mandate. It was pointed out that the Commission's task was not to limit religious freedom, to pass value judgements or to define religions, but, on the contrary, whatever the religion or belief, to protect human rights by collecting and analysing information on possible dangers from sects and psycho-groups. It also had to take the heat out of the debate on sects and psycho-groups by ensuring more open information on the subject and to make recommendations to Parliament. 56. The federal and Land authorities explained that they had been confronted since the mid-1970s with the phenomenon of what are known as sects of young people and sectarian groups. The State's intervention is due, on the one hand, to a revival in these groups' activities and, on the other, to complaints by the public about negative experiences in this area. The focus of concern is the potential danger that these groups could represent for adolescents' personal development and social relations, leading to their dropping out of school and vocational training, radical changes in personality, individual forms of dependence, lack of initiative and difficulties of communication, often aggravated by the group structure characteristic of certain communities, but also to material losses (of a financial nature) and psychosocial harm. 57. To draw attention to the potential dangers, both for the individual and for society, the Federal Government has launched a large-scale information and education campaign designed to increase public awareness and stimulate a critical discussion on what the sects and sectarian groups have to offer. 58. It was added that the obligation to be neutral did not mean that the State was obliged to accept, without reacting, everything done in the name of an alleged religious or philosophical belief, particularly as far as criminal proceedings were concerned. Reference is made here to intervention by the State outside the freedom of religion and belief or within the limits of manifestations of these freedoms (as described in part I. A and B). The State's obligation to be neutral applies to information produced by the authorities on the groups and communities in question, that is, objectivity of information (see I. B). The authorities explained that the information collected by the State - issued, for example, in the form of pamphlets for the public - combined information from sects and sectarian groups and information on the groups. If there is any question about this information, any interested party can take the matter to court. For example, the Community of Universal Life lodged a complaint in 1993 against the information given