A/63/161 word or any description whatsoever after Muhammad (peace be upon him) or recognize such claimant as prophet or a religious reformer as a Muslim” and that they “consider Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Quadiani to be an imposter Nabi and also consider his followers whether belonging to the Lahori or Quadiani Group to be Non-Muslim”. 13 34. Denying official documents or creating obstacles in the application process for members of particular religious groups may have serious consequences for their civil and political rights as well as for their economic, social and cultural rights. Those who have no valid identity papers are often unable to vote and thus are excluded politically. Other consequences include difficulties in obtaining employment in the public sector, 14 opening bank accounts, establishing businesses and getting access to health care or continuing higher education. 15 Random checks performed by the police may result in detention for those without identity papers. Furthermore, restrictions in the issuance of passports or visas based on religious affiliation can restrict the movement of the individuals concerned. 16 35. Immigration issues are sometimes referred to by States as a reason to limit the right to obtain official documents or to impose stricter requirements for some groups. Usually State measures in this area are not specifically directed against particular religious groups, but against people with certain regional or ethnic backgrounds. However, where the majority of these persons belong to a certain religious group, the Government actions may de facto target that group disproportionately. 36. Specifying religion or ethnic origin on identity cards and the establishment of different categories of citizenship may result in discrimination, stigmatization or the denial of certain rights. 17 Some religious groups are granted preferential treatment, receiving automatic citizenship and financial benefits from the Government, whereas people who do not belong to that religious group are denied this treatment. 18 Another State practice is requiring citizens to mention their religious affiliation on tax forms for the purpose of levying church taxes for some churches in that country. 19 3. Restrictions on certain rights of members of particular religious groups 37. Some Governments restrict the rights of members of particular religious groups in administrative procedures. For instance, registry offices refuse to register marriages of persons not belonging to one of the recognized religions, or inter- __________________ 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 The passport application form is available on the website of the Government of Pakistan: http://pakistan.gov.pk/forms/pdf/form_c_d.i.p._3(rev).pdf.zip; see also the Special Rapporteur’s report on her visit to Pakistan (E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.1, para. 24). E/CN.4/2005/61/Add.1, para. 173 (on Myanmar), A/HRC/4/21/Add.3 (on the Maldives), paras. 43 and 44. A/HRC/7/10/Add.1, paras. 81-83 (on Egypt). E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.2 (on the Islamic Republic of Iran), para. 107; E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.1 (on Pakistan), paras. 23, 78 and 85. Committee on the Rights of the Child, concluding observations: Myanmar (CRC/C/15/Add.237), para. 34. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, concluding observations: Israel (E/C.12/1/Add.90), para. 18; similar concerns were raised by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD/C/ISR/CO/13, para. 17). E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.2 (on Germany), paras. 11 and 18. 08-43442