A/52/498 English Page 8 Yugoslavia, which is populated mainly by Serbs, and Croatia, which is predominantly Croat. She emphasized that it was clear that the Governments of the territory of former Yugoslavia had the imperative responsibility to take new measures to promote the protection of minority rights, and indeed were well advised to do so, even if for no other reason than to ensure the lasting integrity of their States' borders (para. 7). Special Rapporteur on the situation in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea 31. The Special Rapporteur on the situation in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Alejandro Artucio, referred in his report (E/CN.4/1997/54) to discrimination against persons belonging to the Bubi ethnic group on the island of Bioko and the inhabitants of the island of Annobon. Specific mention was made of a written communication received from the government delegation in the district of Baney Island, Bioko, reminding the population, which was composed of members of the Bubi ethnic group, that any traditional celebration or ceremony involving a gathering of people required prior authorization from that government delegation. The Special Rapporteur considered that that communication seriously jeopardized the right of any community freely to conduct ceremonies that were expressions of its culture (paras. 56-60). Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq 32. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iraq, Mr. Max van der Stoel, referred in his report (E/CN.4/1997/57) to the overall restrictions of almost all human rights in Iraq, inevitably affecting the rights of minorities to profess and practice their own religion, speak their own language, participate in public life and enjoy their own culture. With reference to the latter in particular, the Special Rapporteur alleged that severe restrictions on the freedom of thought, expression and culture in Iraq had eradicated the expression of competing views and ideas and moulded a number of young minds to serve the Baath Party and the leadership. That had been done through the application of strict laws, severe penalties and through the ownership of the media itself. The law on publications was also an important instrument of repression of opinion and expression since it required authorization for publication and imposed penalties for publishing any of a long list of books (paras. 27 and 28). Special Representative on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran 33. In his report to the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/1997/63), the Special Representative on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Maurice Capithorne, referred to reports of grave breaches of the human rights of the Baha'i in Iran and of discrimination against the members of that religious community, including arbitrary detentions, refusal of entry to universities, dismissals from employment and confiscation of properties (paras. 50-57). The Special Representative had also received information alleging that leaders of certain religious minority groups in Iran were under pressure, including Sunni clerics of Baluchi ethnicity, some of whom appeared to have died under suspicious circumstances (para. 61). In order to ensure the security of certain religious minorities in Iran, the Special Representative /...