A/64/159 E. Migrants 32. In many countries all over the world, migrants are vulnerable to discrimination based on their religion or belief and face related prejudices on a societal level. The Durban Declaration explains that the situation of vulnerability in which migrants frequently find themselves is owing, inter alia, to their departure from their countries of origin and to the difficulties they encounter because of differences in language, customs and culture, as well as economic and social difficulties and obstacles to the return of migrants who are undocumented or in an irregular situation. 17 Various Special Rapporteurs have pointed to the discrimination against the children of migrants, for example with regard to their right to education as well as the absence of the promotion of freedom of religion or belief which hampers their capacity of integration and personal development. 18 33. The Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize that all persons within a particular country, and not just the citizens of that country, have the right to freedom of religion or belief, including the manifestation of their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. In her reports, the Special Rapporteur has pointed to practical limitations imposed on the freedom of migrants to manifest their religion or belief publicly, for example with regard to building places of worship, carrying out religious rituals openly or conducting missionary activities. She would like to recall that limitations on the right to manifest one’s freedom of religion or belief must be prescribed by law and must be necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. 34. In her last report to the General Assembly, which focused on citizenship issues and religious discrimination in administrative procedures, 19 the Special Rapporteur emphasized that immigration policies and citizenship tests must not discriminate on the basis of the applicant’s religious background. Together with other mandate holders, she also expressed concerns about the contents of questionnaires and interview guidelines used by domestic naturalization authorities. Finally, the Special Rapporteur highlighted that it would be contrary to the principle of non-discrimination to restrict citizenship to people with certain religious beliefs or to deny official documents based on the applicant’s religious affiliation. IV. Activities of the mandate A. Communications 35. Since the establishment of the mandate in 1986, the Special Rapporteur has sent more than 1,180 allegation letters and urgent appeals to a total of 130 States. The communications sent by the Special Rapporteur between 1 December 2007 and 30 November 2008, as well as the replies received from Governments, are summarized in the latest communications report she submitted to the Human Rights Council. 20 __________________ 17 18 19 20 12 A/CONF.189/12, chap. I, Declaration, para. 50. E/CN.4/2002/73, para. 28. A/63/161, paras. 25-78. A/HRC/10/8/Add.1. 09-40869