E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.1 Page 8 attention to the right of everyone to have conscientious objections to military service. This right is not, and should not be, limited to clerics and students of religious schools. She encourages the Government to review its legislation on alternative service, in accordance with international standards and best practices. 26. She will address the question of conscientious objection as well as other situations raised by the above communication in the report that will be submitted further to the visit that she carried out in Azerbaijan from 26 February to 5 March 2006 at the invitation of the Government. Bangladesh Urgent appeal sent on 10 March 2005 with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression 27. The Special Rapporteur s were informed that, on Friday 11 March 2005, the leaders of Islamist groups had threatened to attack the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat religious community, in the city of Bogra. Concerns had been expressed that this attack was an attempt by Islamist groups to pressure the government to declare Bangladesh's Ahmadis "non-Muslims". This attack would reportedly be the result of a hate campaign led by the Islamists in Bogra and the nearby regions of Rajshahi, Natore and Gaibandha over the previous week. Concern was further expressed that this planned attack followed a pattern of similar attacks on Ahmadi places of worship in the districts of Chittagong, Patuakhali, Narayangonj, Brahmabaria, Nakhalpara and Dhaka over the year. 28. The Special Rapporteurs recalled that previous communications in relation to this issue had been sent to the Government on 15 March 2004, on 27 August 2004 and 10 November 2004 to which the Government had responded by letters dated 24 May 2004 and 16 November 2004 (See E/CN.4/2005/61/Add.1 at par. 20-27). 29. In this regard, although the local authorities had reportedly taken measures to ensure the safety of the Ahmadis in the past, the Special Rapporteurs requested to be informed about the measures that had been taken by the Government in order to prevent further violations of the rights of the Ahma diyya community. Response from the Government dated 27 May 2005 30. The Government provided additional information to a communication of 10 November 2004 (see E/CN.4/2005/61/add.1, para. 26). 31. On 29 October 2004 at about 1.30pm, the members of Ahmadiyya Community performed their Juma prayer in the new mosque in Bhadughar area of Brahmanbaria town. Sunni Muslims, including teachers and students of local Madrasa and other Muslims of that area reacted by throwing brickbats to the members of Ahmadiyya community and broke the windows of 4 to 5 houses belonging to Ahmadiyya. About 10 to 12 members of Ahmadiyya community were injured in that incident. The Police rushed to the place and a criminal procedure under section (u/s) 143/448/323/324/427 of Bangladesh Penal Code was engaged against 110 unidentified persons. Members of both communities also held talks but

Select target paragraph3