A/54/386 communications concern cases of intolerance or discrimination, but it must be borne in mind that these cases may represent either completely isolated manifestations which are exceptional or manifestations that reveal an overall situation of intolerance and discrimination. Furthermore, the situations referred to in the communications may affect freedom of religion and belief or certain dimensions of those freedoms. Sometimes they affect the whole of society or certain communities or religious minorities. Also, the communications clearly do not cover all religions and beliefs and the frequency with which certain religions and beliefs, are referred to in the communications does not indicate their general situation in the world. A. First series of communications and replies 12. Bangladesh. It is alleged that, on her return to Bangladesh to be with her sick mother, there were renewed calls for the murder of the writer Taslima Nasreen by Muslim extremists, who accused her of blasphemy. The prosecution of the writer under article 295 of the Penal Code “for having deliberately and maliciously outraged the religious sentiments of a class of citizens” is said to have been resumed; likewise, an order for her arrest and the confiscation of her property is said to have been issued. 13. Bolivia. The right to conscientious objection on grounds of religious belief is reportedly not recognized in law and it seems that there is no provision for any alternative form of service. 14. Bulgaria. In December 1998, a Jehovah’s Witness was allegedly imprisoned, in accordance with a judicial decision upheld by the Court of Cassation, because of his conscientious objection to military service. This sentence seems to be inconsistent with both the Constitution, which guarantees the right to perform alternative service, and a law on alternative service that was adopted in October 1998 and entered into force on 1 January 1999. 15. The Government of Bulgaria confirmed the sentences and the detention of the Jehovah’s Witness in question, but stated that this person had been pardoned by the VicePresident of the Republic and released on 8 March 1999. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Bulgaria for its prompt response and, while warmly welcoming the pardon, wishes to know whether this measure, which does not solve the problem of principle, was motivated by the apparent inconsistency of the detention with the Constitution and the new legislation on alternative service. 4 16. China. It is alleged that, in October and November 1998 and January 1999, in Henan province, the security services arrested members of Protestant congregations not recognized by the authorities. Since the reply by China could not be translated before the finalization of this document, it will be summarized in the next report of the Special Rapporteur. 17. Comoros. The right to conscientious objection on grounds of religious belief appears not to be recognized in law. 18. Eritrea. The right to conscientious objection on grounds of religious belief appears not to be recognized in law. The Government of Eritrea explained that, under its legislation, military service is compulsory for a period of 18 months, consisting of six months of military training and 12 months of civic activities. It stated that no exemption was provided, except in the case of persons who had fought in the national liberation war. The Special Rapporteur’s comments on the Republic of Korea are also relevant with respect to Eritrea. 19. Russian Federation. It is reported that, since 1996, the Moscow Prosecutor of the Northern Administrative Circuit has brought charges on five occasions against the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the capital. The first four cases were abandoned because of lack of evidence. In September 1998, new charges were brought under the 1997 Act on freedom of conscience and religious organizations in respect of the proselytizing activities of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, which were deemed illegal on the grounds that they foster religious discord and are a threat to Russian family life. If this prosecution was successful, the registration of the Jehovah’s Witnesses would be revoked and their congregation would be banned in Moscow. Since the reply by the Russian Federation could not be translated before the finalization of this document, it will be summarized in the next report of the Special Rapporteur. 20. Greece. It is alleged that the municipality of Galatsi, a number of its residents and the officially recognized Greek Orthodox Church are attempting to take possession of the Church of Saint Savas in Panorama Galatsiou region, which belongs to the Old Calendarist Orthodox Church, despite a judgement in the latter’s favour. Furthermore, members of the Old Calendarist Orthodox Church are said to have been arrested and charged with disturbing a religious gathering of persons who were in fact using their church illegally. 21. The Government of Greece replied: “On examination of the case of the property of the Church of Saint Savas in