E/CN.4/1998/6 page 30 Secretary-General (A/C.3/51/18), 2/ as well as by the statement of the Permanent Representative of Greece in Geneva during the fifty-third session of the Commission on Human Rights. 123. “The Greek Government assures the Special Rapporteur that the Greek Constitution (article 13), as well as the country's legal system, provide sufficient and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. 124. “Greece is profoundly attached to respect for its international commitments in the matter, including article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the relevant provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923, as well as its political engagements assumed within the context of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Moreover, Greece has recently ratified by Law 2460/1997, published in the Official Gazette No. 22a/26 November 1997, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols and has deposited the relevant instruments of ratification with the Secretariat of the United Nations. The stipulations of this Covenant have entered into force and have been binding for the Greek State since 5 August 1997. We should also like to point out that Greece is a traditional co-sponsor of the resolution, adopted each year by the General Assembly, on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance. 125. “The Greek Government, through various measures, ensures that members of law enforcement bodies, civil servants, educators and other public officials, in the course of their official duties, respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate on the grounds of religion or belief. Access to administrative posts is free for all citizens, according to their abilities and irrespective of their religion. 126. “The whole Greek educational system, the family traditions and the way of life, in general, promote and develop a culture of freedom, tolerance and respect of human rights. 127. “As regards conscientious objection, Greece has recently adopted legislation providing for service of a non-combatant or civilian character (articles 18-24 of Law 2510/97, which will enter into force on 1 January 1998). 128. “According to this Law, anyone who invokes religious or ideological beliefs in order not to fulfil his military obligations on the grounds of conscience may be recognized as a conscientious objector in accordance with the following provisions. 129. “The grounds of conscience are regarded as being related to a general approach to life, based on religious, philosophical or moral beliefs to which the specific individual subscribes and are manifested by a pattern of 2/ document. The Special Rapporteur has unfortunately not yet received this