E/CN.4/1993/62 page 93 The Special Rapporteur’s attention has also been drawn to the particularly preoccupying situation of Christian refugees and displaced persons. It has been alleged that Christians and animists who find themselves in camps for displaced persons are subjected to constant pressure to convert to Islam, in exchange for food. In view of the fact that tribes like the Dinka, Nuer and Shilluk from the Upper Nile region and the followers of traditional religions from Equatoria have strong cultural and tribal customs and structures, it has been reported that tribal chiefs who managed to persuade their subjects to convert to the Muslim faith received large quantities of food while each convert to Islam allegedly received 5,000 Sudanese pounds. It has also been alleged that the fingerprints of persons who adopt a Muslim name are taken in order to facilitate control of the distribution of food rations. In addition, it has been reported that some Muslim non-governmental organizations distribute food aid to refugees who are victims of famine only if they are Muslims or if they convert to Islam." 58. On 3 December 1992, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Sudan to the United Nations Office at Geneva transmitted the following information to the Special Rapporteur with regard to the above-mentioned allegation: "Based on the last paragraph of the Special Rapporteur’s letter which expresses readiness for consultations with the Government of the Sudan, H.E. the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Republic of the Sudan is officially extending an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance to visit Sudan any time he wishes to study the situation directly and to acquaint himself with the true facts in Sudan. The independent expert is thus requested to indicate the suitable time for his visit to this mission in order to facilitate the necessary arrangements. The Special Rapporteur is kindly requested to extend the deadline of 10 December 1992 to receive the comments of the Sudan Government, as time allowed for such comments is very short. A comprehensive report on allegations of religious intolerance which were attached to the Rapporteur’s note is being prepared by the Government of Sudan and will be forwarded to the Centre as soon as received." 59. On 5 December 1992, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Sudan to the United Nations Office at Geneva transmitted the following comprehensive reply to the Special Rapporteur with regard to the above-mentioned allegation: "With reference to the letter of the United Nations Office at Geneva dated 12 November 1992, the Government of the Sudan welcomes the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on Religious Intolerance to the Sudan to see for himself the falsety of the allegations which he has received. The cooperation of the Government of the Sudan with the Special Rapporteur would not be limited to welcoming him to the Sudan, but would extend to providing him with all information required that is because we are firmly confident that nowhere on earth would there be more religious tolerance than what is found in the Sudan. With regard to the allegations made against the Government of the Sudan and received by the Special Rapporteur, we would like to make the following comments: