E/CN.4/1989/44 page 6 II. ACTIVITIES OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR A. Cor respondence 19. In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 13 of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1988/55, whereby the Special Rapporteur, in carrying out his mandate, is invited to bear in mind "the need to be able to respond effectively to credible and reliable information that comes before him", a request for information, dated 1 July 1988, was addressed to Governments, relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned. The information requested from Governments touched on the followinq points: (a) The provision by States, in accordance with their respective constitutional system and relevant internationally accepted instruments, of adequate constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, including the provision of effective remedies where there is intolerance or discrimination based on religion or belief; (b) Appropriate measures taken by States to combat intolerance and to encourage understanding, tolerance and respect in matters relating to freedom of religion or belief; (c) Incidents and governmental actions which miqht be inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. 20. As of 22 December 1988, replies had been received from the following Governments: Antigua and Barbuda, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Canada, Chad, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Federal Republic of, Italy, Jordan, Madagascar, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, United States of America, Venezuela. A reply was also received from the Holy See. 21. The International Labour Organisation also replied. 22. The following non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council also replied: Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers), Baha'i International Community, Latin American Council of Catholic Women, Four Directions Council. 23. The Special Rapporteur also received information from various other religious or lay sources reporting alleged infringements of the provisions of the Declaration in many countries. 24. In addition to the general request for information addressed to all Governments on 1 July 1988, the Special Rapporteur addressed a more specific request to a number of Governments in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 13 of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1988/55, whereby the Special Rapporteur is invited "to seek the views and comments of the Government concerned on any information which he intends to include in his report ...", and with reference to the provisions of paragraph 14 whereby the Commission calls upon Governments "to co-operate with the Special Rapporteur,