A/HRC/10/11/Add.3 page 10 27. Elected Muftis and other community representatives commonly voiced dismay that 240 Imams or Islamic teachers required to teach the Koran in schools and lead prayers, would be appointed by a Committee of five orthodox Greeks with no Muslim members. While this law (Bill 3536) has yet to be implemented, they consider this an inappropriate intervention in the affairs of the Muslim community and religion. 28. The government highlights significant progress in regard to minority education. It is systematically improving the content of education with respect to different religions and cultures, renewing building infrastructure and equipment, and modernizing the institutional framework. A special quota of 0.5 percent for the admission of students from the Muslim minority to universities entered into force in 1996 with very positive results. In 1996, 67 students were admitted, rising to 495 in 2007/8. Community sources welcomed a quota of 0.5 percent of public sector employment for minorities passed into law, but yet to enter into practice. Since 2006, the Turkish language has been introduced into Greek public schools in Thrace as an elective language. B. Minority religions 29. The dominant religion in Greece is the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ, since a large majority of the Greek population identify as Christian Orthodox. Article 13 of the Greek Constitution provides for freedom of religion. The Independent Expert held a forum in Athens to hear the views of people belonging to different religious faiths, attended by representatives of the Baha’i faith, the Catholic Church, the Johova’s Witnesses, the Jewish Community and Muslims. 30. Participants commonly noted the considerable influence of the Greek Orthodox Church (GOC) in Greek society and political life and that the Church receives state funding. They stated that there is no specific domestic law to protect freedom of religion9 and that members of other religions face animosity, verbal and sometimes physical aggression. Issues relating to places of worship and burial sites were of concern to many participants. 31. The Orthodox Church and Judaism are the only religions deemed “legal persons under public law”. Other religious groups are only able to register as “associations”, considered inappropriate to their religious status. Legal personality would enable religions to represent themselves at court or appropriate authorities as a religious community. Participants stated that religious communities should be required to submit their bylaws and function legally and register with the Tax office. Religious communities should be exempt from taxation for religious activities. They should not require a permit to operate but simply register with the competent authority. 9 Criminal anti-discrimination Law 927/1979, as subsequently amended, has been, until the enactment of Law 3304/2005, the only statutory legislation expressly offering protection from religious discrimination in Greece. In addition, there is a substantial body of case-law, in particular of the Council of State, that supplements the above legislation in the area of the protection of religious discrimination. See http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/ fundamental_rights/pdf/aneval/religion_el.pdf.