E/CN.4/1999/58/Add.2 page 20 2. Information from the Management Committee of the Cao Dai Holy See 80. The Special Rapporteur was received at the Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh by some 30 Cao Dai officials, including the most senior religious official. However, only one of them spoke, introducing himself as a member of the Management Committee of the Holy See and representing the whole group; no one else spoke, not even the most senior religious official. A number of people took notes on the meeting, which was also taped and filmed. When the Special Rapporteur attempted to initiate a discussion with other persons, the Committee member representing the group stated that there was no more to be said and politely ended the meeting. 81. The representative considered the Cao Dai community's situation to be satisfactory and said that it was characterized by complete freedom of religion and an expansion of Cao Daism, as shown in particular by the building and renovation of places of worship and by religious events involving thousands of believers. 82. In reply to a question from the Special Rapporteur concerning complaints by Cao Daists about interference from the authorities in Cao Daism, the use of the Cao Dai Association by the authorities and the arrest of religious officials (see para. 83), the Management Committee representative said that the Cao Dai Association represented 99 per cent of believers and that only an insignificant handful of believers was not content. He added that some Cao Dais had violated the principles of Cao Daism, which had led to “their removal from the religion”. It was also pointed out that some Cao Dais had been condemned for reasons unconnected with religious activities. Lastly, the Management Committee representative stated that the Holy See alone had the power to authorize the practice of Cao Daism and that its officials had been chosen by the Cao Dai faithful. 3. Non-governmental information 83. A number of non-governmental sources, including Cao Dai sources, said the authorities had followed a policy of interference that was extremely harmful to the Cao Dai religion. The main stages of this policy are summarized below in order to make it easier to understand the current situation: (a) 1975-1979: Decree No. 297, of 11 November 1977, placing the Cao Dai Church under the control of the Patriotic Front; confiscation of all religious properties; prior authorization by the authorities of any religious activity; arrest of clergy; Tay Ninh Patriotic Front judgement of 20 September 1978 condemning any Cao Daist religious activities deemed to be counter-revolutionary. (b) 1979-1996: Decree No. 01/HTDL of 1 March 1979 signed - on the order of, and under pressure from, the Tay Ninh provincial government - by the Council of Priests, terminating its own existence and announcing the dissolution of all the religious bodies and the establishment of a Management Committee with full powers. The statutes of Cao Daism, drawn up in 1926, make