E/CN.4/1989/44 paqe 26 "On the question of the detention of certain members of the Christian community under the Internal Security Act (ISA), it has to be emphasized that the detentions were for reasons of security. They were detained purely for activities deemed prejudicial to peace and order because they concerned sensitive issues affectinq the nation, one of which is religion. To understand the danqer of such tension to the security and stability of the country, one has to appreciate the historical background of the country and the compromise worked out between the multi-racial and multi-religious community as outlined earlier. "Before independence, misunderstandinq based on racial and reliqious differences had led to riots. The compromises worked out between the various ethnic communities durinq independence have worked wonders for Malaysia's harmony. However from time to time since independence racial and reliqious clashes happened and on one occasion in 1969 led to a riot. These dark spots in our history were the result of activities of extreme elements from the various communities challenqinq the compromises which have been agreed to. The Government's October 1987 action under the ISA was to prevent the hiqhly tense racial and religious sentiments existing then, as a result of the extreme activities of those detained, from taking over ... and to prevent the outbreak of racial and religious riots. In doing so the Government did not discriminate on grounds of race or religion. As a matter of fact those detained included several members of the Muslim community who, like the others detained, also contributed to heightening racial and religious tension. "For the record, (seven names provided) have been released from detention." Nepal 53. In a communication of 3 October 1988 addressed to the Government concerned, the following information was transmitted by the Special Rapporteur: "It has been alleqed that the enforcement of various legal provisions (such as art.14 of the Constitution, which states that no person shall be entitled to convert another person from one religion to another, or the provisions of the Muluki Ain, under which anyone who propagates Christianity, Islam or any other faith may be punished by three years' imprisonment, or by six should conversion have taken place) has resulted in violations of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. "A case has been reported where 11 Catholics, includinq two members of the Community of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky (names provided), one priest and local Nepalese Christians, allegedly received a guilty verdict in December 1987 for either preaching Christianity or converting to it. The case was reportedly immediately appealed, but no information seemed to be available as to the date for the next hearing of the case. The accused had allegedly been beaten while in police custody and forced to sign confessions."