E/CN.4/1990/46 page 59 commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of Christianity in Russia; and the publication by the Moscow Patriarchate of a weekly paper entitled "The Church Messenger". Furthermore, the dialogue initiated at the highest level with the Roman Catholic Church during the recent official visit by the President of the Soviet Union, Mr. Gorbatchev, to the Holy See is yet another positive manifestation of this new policy. IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 109. During the past year, the Special Rapporteur has continued to receive allegations of infringements of the rights and freedoms set out in the Declaration occurring in most regions of the world, especially the right to have the religion or belief of one's choice and freedom from discrimination on grounds of religion or belief. The Special Rapporteur is concerned with the persistence of alarming infringements of other human rights arising out of attacks on freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Noteworthy among them is the growing number of extra-judicial killings that have allegedly taken place in the context of clashes between religious groups or between such groups and security forces. Resorting to violence or the threat of its use in dealing with problems or antagonisms of a religious nature is also a disturbing development which, if unchecked, might endanger international peace. Despite the growing number of allegations concerning infringements of the principles embodied in the Declaration, the Special Rapporteur also wishes to note that the information collected also attests to a definite interest in overcoming the existing restrictions on the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Significant progress achieved in Eastern Europe is particularly encouraging, and the increasing co-operation of almost all States in connection with the mandate of the Special Rapporteur is also praiseworthy. 110. The Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize that he is aware of the difficulties involved in distinguishing between religions, sects and religious associations. In his view, aspects having to do with the antiquity of a religion, its revealed character and the existence of a scripture, while important, are not sufficient to make a distinction. Even belief in the existence of a Supreme Being, a particular ritual or a set of ethical and social rules are not exclusive to religions but can also be found in political ideologies. So far, a satisfactory and acceptable distinction has not been arrived at. Given the rapid proliferation of religious associations, the lack of a genuine distinction between religions, sects and religious associations sometimes poses serious problems. Experience has shown that many newer sects and religious associations seem to engage in activities which are not always of a legal nature. The Special Rapporteur believes that, in the absence of an international convention which would be more explicit in this regard, the Declaration is the best instrument at the disposal of the international community allowing a distinction to be made between the legal and illegal practices of sects and religious associations. Indeed, the Declaration protects not only religions but also theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs and stipulates in article 1, paragraph 3, that freedom to manifest one's religion or belief is subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.