E/CN.4/1997/91 page 3 Accordingly, the Special Rapporteur has analysed the information and can provide copies of the communications and replies available at the Centre for Human Rights in Geneva. 9. Since the fifty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur has sent communications to 49 States: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Chad, China (2), Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan (2), Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Viet Nam, Yemen and Yugoslavia. 10. Among the communications addressed to States, reference will be made in particular to the urgent appeals sent to China, Iran (2), Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The urgent appeal sent to China concerns reports of the detention of the venerable Yulo Dawa Tsering, a Tibetan monk whom the Special Rapporteur had consulted during his visit to China (see E/CN.4/1995/1991) and in respect of whom the Chinese authorities had undertaken to ensure that no negative consequences would result from the aforesaid meeting. 11. The urgent appeals sent to Iran concern, first, the priest Yusefi, born a Muslim and converted to Christianity, who was found hanged in circumstances not yet clarified, which, in view of the murders of Protestant clergymen in 1994, may legitimately raise questions; and, second, Mr. Moussa Talibi, a Muslim converted to the Baha'i faith, whose sentencing to death for apostasy by a revolutionary tribunal follows upon the cases of Mr. Mahrami, Mr. Mithaqui and Mr. Khalajabadi, all three also being Baha'is and sentenced to death for apostasy. 12. The urgent appeals sent to Egypt concern the case of Professor Nasr Hamed Abu Zeid, of Cairo University, declared an apostate by the Egyptian courts, following a petition by Islamic plaintiffs, on account of his writings on the interpretation of the Koran, which were deemed anti-Islamic. As a result, he has been unable to remain married to his Muslim wife. 13. The Abu Zeid case furthermore raises a grave matter of principle. It concerns the very substance of freedom of conscience, belief and religion, as well as freedom of opinion. 14. In the consideration of this matter, the Special Rapporteur received the cooperation of the Egyptian Government, which responded promptly to the two urgent appeals. The Government's replies and the inquiries and investigations conducted make it possible to attest, first, that the judicial authorities enjoy real independence vis-à-vis the official political authorities and, second, that the executive and legislative branches in Egypt are endeavouring to contain extremism and intolerance, in particular through progressive and prudent legislative measures that would deserve to be strengthened on a continuing basis. In that connection, it is worth noting Act No. 3 of 29 January 1996, which entitles only the public prosecutor's office to