E/CN.4/1989/44
page 35
"As regards the building belonging to the Baptist sect of Braila,
the issue in question is an administrative one that is under discussion
with a view to finding a solution taking account of urban planning.
"Meanwhile, the exercise of the religious freedoms of believers and
the activity of the pastors of this church are proceeding normally.
"The situation of Mr. (name given) has no connection with the
problem of religious freedoms.
"(Name given) was until 1987, of the Orthodox religion. In 1987, at
the age of 50, he converted to the Baptist faith so as to obtain entry to
one of the Western countries.
"On 21 August 1987, he went to the Swiss Embassy at Bucharest to
inquire about the possibilities of settling permanently in Switzerland.
During the discussions with the Swiss officials, he became abusive,
disorderly and violent and went into a tantrum. The Swiss Embassy called
in the Romanian authorities to evict him from the building.
"Following this incident it was discovered that he was mentally ill
and he is currently under medical care. He continues to be ill, refuses
hospital food, which he claims is poisoned, and demands foreign food
instead.
"His name is bandied about for no reason at all by various
information sources and media as a person persecuted for his religious
beliefs; in fact, he did not even have time to undertake any religious
activity in the few months following his baptism as a Baptist, which took
place ... because of his circumstances and for other reasons.
"His situation has no connection with his former Orthodox religion,
which he never complained of having had difficulties in exercising or
with the Baptist faith which he recently joined.
"... In Romania there are more than 950 Baptist churches and
approximately 75,000 Baptists who practise their religious beliefs
freely."
Singapore
64. On 19 February 1988, the Permanent Mission of Singapore sent its comments
to the Special Rapporteur concerning information appearing in document
E/CN.4/1099/45, paragraphs 41 and 44. These comments contained, in
particular, the following points:
"... This report (E/CN.4/1988/45) makes two brief references to
Singapore: