E/CN.4/1992/52 page 131 becomes denigratory or contemptuous of religion or belief. It should be noted that, under article 98 (f) of the Egyptian Penal Code, the exploitation of religion to promote or advocate extremist ideologies, whether orally, in writing or by any other means, with a view to stirring up civil strife, disparaging a divinely-revealed religion or its adherents or prejudicing national unity or social harmony, is regarded as a criminal offence." The Government of Egypt subsequently provided the following additional information concerning this question: "The Egyptian Penal Code The Egyptian Penal Code protects the principle of freedom of belief and religious observance, as set forth in the Egyptian Constitution, by designating as a criminal offence all acts which prejudice or infringe that principle. Acts which are designated as criminal offences under the terms of article 98 (f) of the Penal Code (an article which was inserted therein pursuant to Act No. 29 of 1982): A penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than six months and not more than five years, or a fine of not less that LE 500 and not more than LE 1,000, shall be imposed on any person who exploits religion in order to promote or advocate extremist ideologies by word of mouth, in writing or in any other manner with a view to stirring up sedition, disparaging or belittling any divinely-revealed religion or its adherents, or prejudicing national unity or social harmony. Acts which are designated as criminal offences under the terms of article 160 of the Penal Code (as amended by Act No. 29 of 1992): A penalty of imprisonment and/or a fine of not less that LE 100 and not more than LE 500 shall be imposed on: (i) any person who destroys, damages or desecrates premises intended for the celebration of religious rites, emblems or other article venerated by the members of a religious community or group of people; (ii) any person who uses violence or threats to disrupt or interrupt the religious observances or celebrations of any community; and (iii) any person who profanes or desecrates graves or cemeteries. Acts which are designated as criminal offences under the terms of article 161 of the Penal Code: The penalties prescribed in the preceeding article also apply to: (a) The printing or publiction of scriptures that are revered by members of a religious community, whose rights are performed in public, in such a way as to deliberately distort and alter the meaning of the text of those scriptures. (b) The mimicry of a religious celebration in a public place or gathering with the aim of ridiculing it or exposing it to public view.