E/CN.4/1990/46 page 61 literal interpretation of certain religious precepts which result in violent outbursts; extra-judicial killings, death threats, intimidation, enforced re-education, confinement to psychiatric institutions or labour camps; profanation of places of worship and burial grounds, destruction, closing, evacuation or occupation of such places of worship; seizure or confiscation of articles of worship and property; hindering or prohibition of religious publications and their dissemination, their censorship as well as that of sermons, etc. These regrettable phenomena adversely affect not only the rights and freedoms of religious communities but also those of minorities and represent a destabilizing factor in international relations and a source of tensions and conflict between States. The violation or non-respect of religious rights often results in the infringement of other human rights, such as the right to life, physical integrity, liberty and security of the person, freedom of movement and freedom of opinion and expression. 115. The Special Rapporteur also wishes to underline that progress has been made in this area as well. An example is the introduction of appropriate changes in constitutions and legal systems made by certain countries to bring them into greater accord with international instruments; improved policies of certain Governments regarding matters of religion and conscience; the positive impact of the policy of openness and transparency in Eastern Europe, especially the new dialogue between the Government of the Soviet Union and the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. 116. Since his appointment, the Special Rapporteur has been collecting information transmitted to him by Governments, non-govemmental organizations and other religious and lay sources, regarding constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion a^d belief, measures taken by States to combat intolerance, and incidents and governmental actions which might be inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration. The information thus gathered has constantly been examined by the Special Rapporteur, since it contains important elements to be taken into account by any future drafters of a new international instrument. The Special Rapporteur, should the Commission decide to renew his mandate, intends to include in his next report a brief analysis of the material collected over the years since his first appointment. 117. Although the international system already has a number of mandatory norms in the area of freedom of religion or belief, the persistence of the problem of intolerance and discrimination in this field calls for the preparation of an international instrument dealing specifically with the elimination of this phenomenon. The Special Rapporteur is of the opinion that the adoption of such an instrument could give a broader and more profound dimension to international protection against manifestations of intolerance based on religion or belief. Furthermore, the mandatory nature of the provisions of such an instrument could impose on States parties a number of requirements, such as the submission of reports on the application of its provisions, which might encourage greater respect for religious rights and freedoms by such States. 118. For the purpose of elaborating such an international instrument, the international community might usefully draw upon the principles laid down in the 1981 Declaration, as well as on the practical experience acquired in recent years by the Commission on Human Rights in this regard. The Special Rapporteur would like to insist on the advantage of establishing, within the