E/CN.4/2004/63
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carried over from former legislation and justified by the rarity of this broadcasting system in
British territory, where the authorities’ duty is to satisfy the largest possible number of people.
Moreover, this restriction does not affect religious institutions’ right to broadcast: indeed, this
right has been extended.
Serbia and Montenegro
88.
The first two communications are dealt with in paragraphs 88 to 90 of the interim report.
89.
The third concerns reports that at a concert organized in Vrdnik on 8 August 2003 by the
local Pentecostal Church, unidentified individuals threw an explosive device near the stage and
cut off the power supply with an axe. One of them then reportedly drove a car into the area
where the audience was standing and threatened the organizers, claiming to be armed.
Slovakia
90.
The leaders of certain religious minorities reportedly complained about legislation that
prohibits religious communities with fewer than 20,000 members from obtaining legal status,
which they need, among other things, to build places of worship.
Slovenia
91.
Several religious minorities who would like the new law to enshrine the principle of
equality between all religions are said to have expressed concern about the choice of leader for
the team responsible for drafting the bill, Mr. Lovro Strum, who is a member of the Order of
Malta.
92.
It is also reported that other religious minorities have recently complained about
restrictions on the exercise of their freedom of religion, including Muslims, who are
experiencing great difficulty in their efforts to build a mosque.
Sudan
93.
See paragraph 91 of the interim report.
Sri Lanka
94.
A Supreme Court decision would allegedly put a stop to proselytizing and religious
conversions and deny legal status to two Christian organizations. The decision is said to have
been favourably received by Buddhist organizations upset by the attitude of Christian groups
offering money, clothes and books to would-be converts.
Tajikistan
95.
The first communication is dealt with in paragraphs 92 and 93 of the interim report.
96.
The second communication concerns reports that a Baptist was fined five times the
minimum monthly salary for accosting passers-by in the street, even though the practice is not
prohibited.