E/CN.4/1998/6 page 21 which are designed to prevent and eliminate hatred, intolerance and violence based on religion or belief (in particular, the ban on the use of religion by religious groups and communities for political ends or to encourage intolerance; the obligation for political parties and other associations to pursue programmes and activities that respect the constitutional order and do not encourage hatred and intolerance, particularly religious intolerance, under pain of dissolution; the principle of non-discrimination, particularly on religious grounds in secondary education, etc.). The importance to be attached to human rights, non-discrimination and tolerance in primary and secondary-school curricula was also underscored. 82. Regarding allegations about the shortage of mosques, or even the destruction of premises serving as mosques and the failure by the authorities to issue the necessary building permits for mosques, the authorities stated that no religious community had so far claimed that it was unable to conduct its religious activities or that it lacked sufficient places of worship. They further stated that in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, out of 2,030 religious establishments 1,550 belong to the Macedonian Orthodox Church, 450 to the Muslim community, 15 to the Catholic Church and 15 to the Protestant Church. 83. Where the Serbian Orthodox Church is concerned, the authorities explained that applications from members of the Serbian Orthodox clergy to enter the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had been refused on the grounds that their Church did not recognize the independence of the Orthodox Church of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, within which it appointed its own administrators. Nevertheless, it was emphasized that members of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were able to practise their religion and to have their own church, which had to have the status of a church of the diaspora. The authorities further stated that the adoption of a new law on religious groups and communities had been preceded by joint meetings with all the religious denominations, some of whose proposals had been adopted. 84. The Sultanate of Oman, replying to a communication summarized under the first and fifth categories of violations, emphasized that its legislation guaranteed freedom of religion and “religious observance”. 85. Romania, in reply to a communication summarized under the second, fourth, fifth and sixth categories of violations, explained its policy on democratization and respect for the law, including in religious matters. “Resolute measures have been taken by the Government of Romania, at both the administrative and the legislative levels, to overcome past injustices and to guarantee the freedom of religion, as enshrined in the 1991 democratic Constitution of Romania and in the European and international human rights instruments to which the country is a party.” Referring to the situation of the Greek Catholic Church, the Romanian authorities stated that the process of restitution of properties confiscated under the former regime had been accelerated. “The Upper Chamber of the parliament of Romania - the Senate passed new legislation on 12 June 1997 providing that the Greek Catholic Church is to be given back one church building in each locality in which the Orthodox Church has several church buildings and there are local residents of Greek Catholic denomination.” The authorities also stated that they