E/CN.4/2000/65 page 19 Malaysia 63. Christians are allegedly subjected to restrictions on all religious activities vis-à-vis Muslims. Despite progress in the legislation governing property and divorce, non-Muslim women reportedly suffer discrimination under the “personal status” laws. Maldives 64. Protestants are reportedly forbidden to practise their religion in public because the conversion of Muslims to another religion is allegedly prohibited. The conversion of Muslims is said to be punishable by loss of citizenship. Mauritania 65. Protestants are said to be subjected to restrictions on all religious activities vis-à-vis Muslims. Mexico 66. In June 1999, in Chiapas, traditional rural leaders reportedly destroyed Protestant temples, while Protestant families were allegedly detained arbitrarily and threatened with expulsion. Mozambique 67. Despite the progress made by the Government, the restitution of property confiscated from the Catholic Church and the Muslim community in 1975 following the attainment of independence has not been completed. Myanmar 68. The authorities are reportedly pursuing their policy of intolerance and discrimination against minorities: Muslims in the states of Arakan and Karen and Christians in the states of Chin and Karen. In January 1999, the activities undertaken by the Christian community of Chin to commemorate the centenary of Christianity were allegedly opposed by the military by various means, such as prohibiting the erection of a cross on Vuichip mountain, arrests of clergy and the refusal to grant visas to foreign guests. Myanmar’s reply is still awaited. Nepal 69. It is alleged that, in November 1998, in Rukum, the police executed two Christian leaders of the Taka Church, whom they suspected of belonging to the Maoist organization waging a civil war in remote areas of Nepal. It would appear that the Christian community is in fact subjected to pressure by Maoists hostile to their religious practices, by the police, who execute Christians suspected of being Maoists, and by Hindu militants of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who target Christians.

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