E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.2 page 9 B. (a) Situation of religious minorities Jewish minority 34. The Jewish community enjoys a privileged situation in the area of religious freedom. It has the status of a legal person in public law and therefore enjoys the rights and benefits deriving therefrom. The religious instruction of Judaism is guaranteed. Private schools and places of worship exist in sufficient numbers. For the purposes of the broadcasting of religious programmes, the Jewish community has the right to appropriate broadcasting time on the public and private radio networks throughout the country. It also has the right of representation on the broadcasting control bodies, in accordance with the legal provisions on broadcasting. 35. Public financial assistance is granted to the Jewish community. In the Land of Saxony-Anhalt, for example, in 1997 public funds amounting to DM 1,619,223 were paid to the Regional Association of Jewish Communities. 36. Special measures have also been taken by the authorities for the benefit of Jews coming from the former Soviet Union. On 9 January 1991, the heads of government of the Federation and the Länder decided to facilitate the entry of Jewish emigrants from the former Soviet Union, without limitation as to numbers. Admission is effected pursuant to the law concerning measures to be taken with regard to refugees admitted in the context of humanitarian assistance (law on refugees subject to quota). The desire of the authorities is to permit the maintenance of Jewish communities in Germany. As of 30 June 1997, 64,971 persons were reported to have entered Germany under the above-mentioned procedure, in addition to the 8,535 persons who arrived at an earlier stage, or outside that procedure. These Jewish immigrants receive integration assistance, the cost of which is borne by the Bund. 37. As was stated by Mr. Ignatz Bubis, representative of the Jewish community, Jews in Germany are not subjected to any official discrimination. Some acts of vandalism have nevertheless been reported, including the desecration of Jewish cemeteries. The number of these incidents, which are attributable to extreme-right groups, nevertheless remained stable in 1997. The Special Rapporteur was also informed of internal problems in the Jewish community, namely, the integration within the community of Jews from the former Soviet Union who had virtually no knowledge of the tenets and practice of Judaism. To sum up it would appear that the situation of the Jewish community in the area of religious freedom is very satisfactory and receives the firm support of the authorities. (b) Muslim minority 38. The representatives of the Muslims stated that they patently enjoyed freedom in religious matters. Generally speaking, religious activities are not impeded by the authorities, despite the incidents which occur from time to time in certain places relating to the building of mosques, the management of Koranic schools and the arrival of imams or teachers from abroad. Despite the difficulties, inter-religious dialogue is encouraged and manifests itself notably through the establishment of Islamic-Christian associations.