-35-thecomposition ofthepopulation, andthesituation ofanumberofminorities, suchasthoseoftheoasisofBere-~ere, andofArmenian andGreekorigins. Further information wasalsosoughtregarding migrant workers and,inparticular, onSudanese whoentered thecountry aslabourers anddomestic servants andany Ieraelis livinginEgypt. 151.Members congratulated theGovernment onitsimplementation ofarticle 3ofthe Convention and, inparticular, onitspolicywithregardtotheSouthAfrican regime. 152.Withreference toarticle 4oftheConvention, members oftheCommittee wished toknowwhatlawscouldbeinvoked andwhatsanctions couldbeimposed against racially discriminatory practices. Inthisconnection, itwasobserved that articles ofthePenalCodementioned inthesereports referred mainlytocrimes against religious activities. Inthatregard,itwasinquired whyattacks on religious symbols ratherthanattacks onindividuals werepunished bythelaw, whether equally severepenalties wereprovided forincasesofracial discrimination andwhether theGovernment intended tointroduce moreprecise legislation toprevent racialdiscrimination. Inthisconnection, members ofthe Committee feltthatEgypthadstillnotfullycomplied witharticle 4ofthe Convuntion. Itwasalsosuggested thatthenextreportmighti&c1ude information onanumberofdecisions takenunderthesaidlegalprovisions. 153.Withregardtoarticle 5oftheConvention, members oftheCommittee wishedto receive additional information ontherighttofreedom ofassociation and,in particular, onpubliccharities. Clarification wassoughtofthesentence in paragraph 33ofthereport (CERD/C/149/Add.22) according towhichthelegislator's purpos~ inprohibiting theexploitation ofreligion fortheestablishment of political parties wastoprevent thenation frombeingsplitintoracialgroups. Furthermore, information wassoughtontheinteraction between political and religio~s activity an1,inthatregard,itwasaskedwhodefined thelimitswithin whichreligion functioned andtowhatextenttherewererestrictions onthefreedom ofreligion. Itwasfurther inquired whether therewereanyrefu'irees inEgyptand, ifso,whattheirstatuswas,towhatextentlabourunionswereexcluded from political activities, andwhether over-concentration inlargecitiesinEgypthad ledtoanymeasures restricting theenjoyment ofthefreedom ofmovement. 154.Inconnection witharticle 7oftheConvention, members oftheCommittee wishedtoreceive additional information onmeasures adopted inthefieldsof education, culture andinformation withaviewtocombating racismandracial discrimination. 155.Inresponse tovarious questions aboutminorities, therepresentative ofthe Statepartyemphasized thattheEgyptian legalsystemwasbasedonnational unity, thatEgyptwasahomogeneous society andthatitspeopleonlyspokeonelanguage. Hesaidthathiscountry hadnoparticular minority whoserightsmightbedenied. Sincetherewasmorethanonereligion, thatwas,therefore, theonlyaspect covered byEgyptian law.Asconcerns specific references topeoplelivingin several oasesortoGreekandArmenian minorities, hestressed thatifthe individuals concerned wereEgyptians, therewasnorestriction against theminany respect. Healsostatedthatowingtotheeconomic situation manyofthemigrant workers, inparticular Sudanese, hadleftthecountry, thattherewereJewsin Egyptwhopractised theirfaithinsynagogues, andthattherewasnodiscrimination basedonnational originorlanguage. -36-_.•..-_.------------------------ -~~--~- -~ 156.Replying toquestions raisedinconnection witharticle 4oftheConvention, therepresentative oftheStatepartystatedthatEgyptian laws,eveniflhey specifically referrAd toreligion, were wid~enoughinscopetocoveranyformof discrimination. Henevertheless agreedthatitwasimportant forthePenalCode, which ~asintheprocess ofbeingamended, toinclude specific references toracial discrimination. Headdedthatpenalties wereapplied topersons whoinsulted or stirred uphatredofareligious symbolbecausd theywerethereby stirring up hatredofagroupbelonging toadifferent raligion. Lastly, herecalled thatthe Convention itselfcouldbeinvoked beforeEgyptian Courts. 157.Withregardtoarticle 5oftheConvention, therepresentative referred tothe sentence inthereportrelating totheprohibition oftheexploitation UL.~ligion fortheestablishment ofpolitical parties andexplained thatitspurpose wasto avoidthedivision ofthenation onanybasis. Hefurther statedthateveryone couldpractise hisreligion ashewishedwithout interference. Labour unionswere
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a report or discussion on human rights and discrimination in Egypt, specifically in relation to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). It touches on various aspects such as minority rights, education, culture, and employment, but the primary focus is on ensuring equal treatment and protection against racial discrimination.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Education, Culture