E/CN.4/2002/73/Add.1 page 23 representatives are concerned for solutions to be found and implemented to put an end to negative sentiment against Islamophobia and Arabophobia and the problems to which they give rise. 4. Other minorities of religion and belief 99. Baha’i representatives stated that their situation in terms of freedom of religion and freedom to manifest their religion or belief was fully satisfactory. 100. A representative of the Tibetan Buddhist Association said that the Buddhist community had not encountered any problems relating to freedom of religion and freedom to manifest its religion or belief, including change of religion. Buddhism was perceived as a real religion in Argentina and no difficulties within society were encountered. The Catholic Church, which, in his view, was more concerned with politics and the maintenance of power than religion, was somewhat closed with regard to Buddhism. There had, however, been some change in attitude since the awarding of the Nobel Prize to the Dalai Lama. Argentina should seek to progress towards a better understanding of other religions and genuine separation of Church and State. 101. With regard to so-called sects, several non-governmental interlocutors expressed the view that, with the exception of a few isolated, if high profile, cases focused on by the media, the question of sects was not a subject of controversy in Argentina and they were not a concern. So-called sects were socially accepted; while some of their unlawful practices (for example, an earlier case of a family whose members were accused in the context of legal proceedings of indecent assault on minors) were questioned, their existence was not. Non-governmental representatives found State policy towards sects to be in accordance with international law, namely, offering absolute respect for belief and conviction and complying with limitations established in the case law of the Human Rights Committee regarding manifestations of belief or conviction. By way of example, reference was made to the adoption of legislation recognizing conscientious objection to military service (Act No. 24 429, part I) and in education (Act No. 1818/1984, ibid.), of particular benefit to Jehovah’s Witnesses, and to the absence of any State impediment to Mennonite community life, in particular education of children at home (agreement concluded in October 1998 between the Ministry of Education of Pampa province and a Mennonite colony on the teaching of Spanish to children from the age of 6 and the joint selection of teaching materials). 102. Humanist representatives stated that there were cases of discrimination and intolerance in Argentina, arising principally from the privileged relationship between the Catholic Church and the authorities. 103. A number of areas, indicated below, were identified as giving rise to difficulties. Legal 104. As stated by the humanists, pursuant to article 2 of the Federal Constitution providing for State support for the Catholic Church, the latter receives government financial assistance. The constitutional principle of non-discrimination is violated by the fact that most of the budget for religion goes to Catholic institutions and by the fact that the appropriation for religion is financed