A/HRC/40/44 63. Belarus reported that the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs coordinated the work of national communities and faiths, including advisory interfaith and inter-ethnic councils. The Ombudsman for Religion and Nationalities monitored the observance of legislation protecting the rights of persons who identify themselves as a national community, addressed violations and promoted the development of ethnoconfessional dialogue. Belarus had implemented programmes for the development of the confessional sphere of national relations and cooperation with entities abroad for the period 2016–2020. The programme aimed to regulate religious life, maintaining interreligious and inter-ethnic peace and accord in society and developing cooperation between State departments and religious organizations in providing assistance to citizens to exercise their rights to national-cultural development and national identity. 64. The Islamic Republic of Iran reported that as of January 2016, 58 religious minorities associations were active: Jewish (3); Zoroastrian (29); Christians (Armenians) (17); and Christians (Assyrians) (9). Article 13 of the Constitution recognized the right to celebrate religious ceremonies and their related holidays for minorities and their followers in governmental departments. Those undertaking compulsory military service were allowed to take leave during official ceremonies. Religious minorities benefited from the country’s official holidays in addition to special leave on the days of religious ceremonies. 65. The Islamic Republic of Iran reported that more than 250 churches were owned by Christian minorities, 16 synagogues by Jewish minorities and 78 places of worship by Zoroastrians. In addition, the religious places of religious minorities were refurbished by the Government from the public budget and some historic locations were nationally registered. It added that religious minorities owned 20 newspapers, weeklies, monthlies and magazines as well as 5 printing and publishing centres. Government funds had been allocated through the national budget to provide services and conveniences for religious minorities and a variety of financial aids had been granted, including funds for the construction of a stadium for the Armenian religious minority in Tehran in 2016. 66. The Islamic Republic of Iran also reported that religious minorities could choose to attend public schools or their own schools and that there were currently 93 schools belonging to religious minorities operating in the country. In 2016, the parliament had passed a law enabling minorities to establish their own schools. In support of minority literature and cultures, there were also higher education courses in Iranian universities, such as the BA in Armenian language and literature at the universities of Azad and Isfahan. Iran added that Sunni Muslims were not considered an official religious minority but as part of the majority. Pursuant to article 12 of the Constitution, they were free to perform their rituals and religious teachings. The President appointed a Sunni counsellor, not only to facilitate communication, but also to address the issues of the Sunni population. 67. Italy reported that in 2018, the two draft texts of (intesa) agreements with the Diocesi Ortodossa Romena d’Italia and with the Association Chiesa d’Inghilterra, agreed by the Interministerial Commission for Agreements with Religious Denominations, had been sent to the new Under-Secretary of State of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and to the respective representatives of the religious denominations for their joint signature. Once signed by the President of Council and the representatives of the religious denomination, each agreement would be transmitted to the parliament for its approval. 68. In Montenegro, the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights had received from the courts data on the number of initiated or ongoing procedures in the courts relating to protection against discrimination based on religion or belief. The Ministry continued to allocate material resources to religious communities in Montenegro each year. 69. In the Russian Federation, the concept and forms of religious associations, as well as guarantees of their activities were enshrined in the law on freedom of conscience, which established guarantees of mutual non-interference of the State and religious associations, and which clearly stated that all religious associations were equal before the law. The Russian Federation reported that the State did not interfere in a citizen’s practice of religion and religious affiliation, or in the raising of children by parents or guardians, in accordance with their convictions and taking into account the child’s right to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. The State did not interfere in the activities of religious 12