E/CN.4/1998/6 page 14 as a sect; parents who are members of Scientology have tried to institute private education, but have been refused permission to establish a private school. 60. The second category concerns violations of the principle of tolerance in matters of religion and belief. (a) In Afghanistan, the extremism of the Taliban affects the whole of society, including all its religious components, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. Some categories of persons seem to be more affected than others: women are among those who suffer most because of severe restrictions on their education and employment, and the obligation to wear what is described as Islamic dress; (b) In certain regions of India and Nepal, there have been reports of intolerance towards Christians and Christian converts; (c) In Iraq, two Christians are reported to have been murdered following a fatwa to that effect issued by an imam. (d) In Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Mongolia, certain religious minorities and communities (Christian communities in Azerbaijan and Mongolia, Jehovah's Witnesses in Bulgaria) are reportedly experiencing a climate of intolerance. In Gambia, appeals for the murder of Ahmadis have reportedly been made by the Secretary of State for the Interior and Religious Affairs and an imam. In Georgia, the Orthodox Church is said to be trying to restrict the activities of other Christian organizations, while in Romania it is said to be hostile to members of the Greek Orthodox Church and Jehovah's Witnesses. In Nicaragua, the Catholic Church is allegedly trying to introduce Catholic textbooks in State schools. These textbooks would appear to preach a message of intolerance towards other religions. It is important to remember that religious intolerance and religious extremism of any kind can occur both within a religion and between religions. 61. The third category concerns violations of freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief. Conscientious objection would appear to be a particularly important issue: (a) In Albania, no legislative provision is apparently made for alternative service or unarmed military service for conscientious objectors, who may be subject to judicial proceedings, fines and imprisonment. Exemption from military service may be granted against monetary payment, which may be regarded as discriminatory; (b) In Belarus and Mongolia, the law does not apparently provide for an alternative to military service; (c) In Austria, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Slovakia, there is apparently a legal time limit within which conscientious objectors must declare their refusal to perform military service or apply to perform alternative service;