E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.1 Page 81 Turkmenistan offers no non-combat alternative to those who cannot serve in the military on grounds of conscience. Response from the Government dated 18 April 2005 381. The Government indicated that Turkmenistan is a secular State and, according to the country’s Constitution, religion is separate from the State. At the same time, a respectful attitude to generally accepted norms and values in the spiritual sphere of society is one of the main principles of the formulation and application of State policy in Turkmenistan. In this connection, Turkmenistan has be en and remains committed to the rigorous and consistent pursuit of a policy for the comprehensive implementation of guarantees in the field of human rights and freedoms, including in the sphere of religion or belief. 382. In this context, the Government referred to the constitutional provision specifying that in Turkmenistan “the State guarantees freedom of religions and faiths and their equality before the law. Religious organizations are separate from the State and may not intervene in affairs of State or perform State functions. Everyone has the right independently to determine his or her own religious preference, to practice any religion alone or in association with others, to practice no religion, to express and disseminate beliefs related to religious preference, and to participate in the performance of religious cults, rituals and ceremonies” (article 11 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan). 383. In accordance with domestic legislation, the registration of religious organizations and groups is ensured in the territory of Turkmenistan through compliance with generally recognized international norms regardless of their number, faith or religion. 384. Convincing evidence of this process is the fact that Turkmenistan now knows (officially registered and functioning) religious organizations and groups of Muslims, Orthodox Christians, Seventh-day Adventists, Baha’is, Evangelical Christian Baptists and a Hare Krishna group. In addition, on 16 April 2002 the following religious organizations and groups were also registered: the Church of Christ, the “Greater Grace” Evangelical Church, the “Light of the East” Church of Evangelical Christians, the Full Gospel Christian Church and the New Apostolic Church. At the same time, we can report that, following the humanistic traditions of the Turkmen people and guided by the principles of justice, mercy and philanthropy, Vepa Tuvakov, Atamurat Suvkhanov, Mansur Masharipov and Begench Shakhmuradov were pardoned by a Presidential Decree of 16 April 2005. 385. The Government also indicated that there were no instances of the detention of persons on account of their religion or cases of application of administrative sanctions against them. Furthermore, we can report that there are no instances of the demolition of buildings in which religious ceremonies or acts of worship are conducted. 386. Neutral Turkmenistan, strictly following the international obligations that it has undertaken, is steadfastly pursuing a policy of close cooperation with the United Nations and its institutions.