E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.2 page 14 about it in a pamphlet entitled “Sects and psycho-groups in Germany”. The Administrative Tribunal dismissed the case on the grounds that the information given did not violate the law. In a similar case, complaints by Transcendental Meditation were rejected in various proceedings which went as far as the Constitutional Court. 59. According to the authorities, in order to enable the State to discharge its obligations in the matter of protecting citizens, the law gives it the right, which derives directly from the Constitution, to take a position in relation to the public and to issue recommendations or warnings, for religious and philosophical communities among others. The Federal Government must, however, respect the following restrictions: the principles of necessity and due proportion; the principle of equity (appropriate, necessary and reasonable means), not acting on the basis of inadequate grounds; value judgements to be based on a body of facts which essentially have to be assessed correctly and at their true value. 60. The seriousness of the threat to the public interest and to the rights protected by the Constitution, and the content and function of the warning, determine the extent and the limits of the specific information provided by the State. 61. As a whole, the problems of sects and sectarian groups involve the competence of the Federal Government, the Länder and the communes, which cooperate closely. An interministerial working group and a round table attended by representatives of the Federal Government and the Länder provide an opportunity for regular exchanges of experience and coordination of activities. Apart from these official arrangements, there are contributions from church representatives responsible for questions relating to sects and religion, parents' action groups institutionalized at the federal, regional and local levels, consultative bodies in the sector of private and public social work, and other social groups and bodies. The authorities have, however, stated that the State is not out to become involved in any kind of competition in the area of religion and belief. According to officials and members of the Bundestag Study Commission, similar regulatory provisions ought to be adopted with regard to psychotherapists and psycho-groups as part of consumer protection. In other words, products offered to the public in return for payment should comply with the appropriate regulations, including those on consumer protection. 62. The associations for victims of sects and psycho-groups described their activities relating to mutual aid, counselling and information, and social rehabilitation with victims and those close to them and with anyone wanting to get away from the groups and faced with problems of financial exploitation, psychical and psychological dependence, etc. It was explained that there was no question of challenging the freedom of religion and belief, but merely abuses in the manifestations of that freedom. Mention was also made of the need to regulate the psychotherapy market, where financial motives were often concealed under a religious label. 63. As regards the groups and communities dealt with in this part of the report, the Mormons have the status of a legal person in public law with the rights and advantages that that implies, including tax exemptions. As far as