E/CN.4/1995/91 page 26 The people’s representative from Kalikhola stated that according to the resolutions of earlier sessions of the National Assembly, Buddhism and Hinduism were the only two recognized religions of Bhutan. However, as the Government had not taken any note of the situation, Christianity was spreading along the border areas and creating serious social problems. The Samdurpjongkhar chimi pointed out that Buddhism and Hinduism were the only two recognized religions in the country; allowing other religions would result in serious problems for the country. For the benefit of future generations, he requested the National Assembly to pass a resolution that no other religion would be allowed in Bhutan. Several people’s representatives stated that countries all over the world had their own different religions, customs and laws. Bhutan, too, should allow and uphold only those religions that have traditionally been recognized. If proselytizing of other religions were allowed it would cause sectarian friction which would lead to serious social problems. The Home Minister pointed out that the practice of religions other than the ones already recognized had been discussed several times in previous sessions of the National Assembly. During the Thirtieth Session of the National Assembly in 1969, it had been resolved that no religions other than the ones already recognized would be allowed in the country. Also, according to Article 16 of the Fifty-first Session of the National Assembly, while all other religions could be practised privately, no proselytizing would be allowed. He, therefore, recommended that the house should direct the Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchungs to decide on the matter in accordance with the Thrimshung Chenpo and the resolutions of the previous sessions of the National Assembly. The representative of the Dratshang Lhentshog pointed out that all religions were good and existed for the benefit of sentient beings. The problems in the world that have been related to religion did not arise from the religions themselves but were caused by the shortcomings of the practitioners. He therefore proposed that, as recommended by the Home Minister, the existing laws and Assembly resolutions should form the basis for all steps taken to ensure that no sectarian problems arose in Bhutan. Other people’s representatives pointed out that if proselytizing of different religions were allowed in a small country like Bhutan, it would create social disharmony and might even harm the security and sovereignty of the country due to misunderstandings over religion with big countries. Buddhism and Hinduism were two brother religions in harmony with each other. The practice of different religions in the country would create disharmony and problems would arise as pointed out by the Lhotshampa chimis. The Dagapela chimi pointed out that although Buddhism and Hinduism had the same origin, because there were differences in practice a few difficulties did arise at times. But Christianity being totally different from these two religions, the problems which had already