A/56/253 by several Churches, and its regional and local agencies did the same for 4,235 persons. These figures show that foreign missionaries, preachers and others are coming in increasing numbers to Ukraine at the invitation of religious organizations. “During the period 1998-1999, the Government bodies for various reasons which were fully explained, refused outright to authorize 61 representatives of foreign religious organizations to engage in religious activities in Ukraine. “Approval for foreign priests, ministers and other religious leaders to engage in religious activity, instruction or other activity at the invitation of religious organizations which need the services of such persons, and with the agreement of the State bodies that have registered the statutes of those organizations, is withheld only in cases where the proposed religious activity falls outside the scope of a foreigner’s right, as recognized by the Constitution, to engage in such activity, or where the activity is intended to fulfil personal religious needs. This practice is not at variance with the provisions of the instruments adopted by the United Nations with respect to freedom of conscience and religion since it does not impair the right of any foreigner to profess his faith on a personal basis, either individually or collectively.” 28. The Special Rapporteur thanks Ukraine for its specific and detailed response. He wishes to draw attention to the difficulties of assessing the duration of civilian service, particularly in view of the fact that the general tendency seems to be to reduce differences between the duration of civilian and military service. Viet Nam 29. Viet Nam has replied as follows to a communication from the Special Rapporteur (para. 146): “Tran Thai Son was arrested in 1978 due to his sabotage activities related to the United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Races (FULRO), a reactionary force. In 1980, he was released on the ground of a health condition. After being released, Son did not return to Dong Nai, where he was a pastor, but moved to Ho Chi Minh City to continue sabotage activities. On 8 January 1983, he was again found guilty in a criminal case. Despite such acts, Tran Thai Son was absolved by the court for health reasons. “The fact that he has not been allowed to have a church for official preaching is a matter of internal decision by the local Protestant Congregation for his infringement upon the requirements of a pastor; the Government has no jurisdiction.” B. Additional information Azerbaijan 30. Azerbaijan has provided the following information further to its response to a communication from the Special Rapporteur (paras. 13 to 16): “The Government of Azerbaijan has in every way taken steps to resolve the issues concerning Jehovah’s Witnesses described in your report. The six 71