(v) Fundamental Freedoms Religion 65. Eritrea is a secular state and freedom of religion is protected by law. It is also a culture respected by every citizen. The country‟s rich history of religious tolerance, co-existence and harmony in a turbulent region that is often wracked by acute religious polarization and strife remains a great example. Hence, continuous effort is made to strengthen religious coexistence, mutual respect and tolerance. Even within the confines of secularism, the Government has shouldered the obligations to ensure that this centuries-old religious tolerance and harmony is not perturbed by externally-induced new trends of Islamic or Christian fundamentalism that corrode the social fabric. 66. In general, religious bodies have their respective hierarchies, conduct their own elections for their respective hierarchies – the Synod, the Dar-al-Iftae, and other decision making organs without any intervention from any side, including from the Government. The religious institutions and their leaderships play a significant role in strengthening the harmony and the social cohesion of the society. The interfaith joint coordination mechanism they created is a great advantage and religious leaders work together to address basic social problems without any discrimination. In this sprit, Christian and Moslem religious holidays are celebrated in joint inter-faith festivities by the people at local, regional and national levels. They also promote projects to assist vulnerable communities and groups without discrimination and joint advocacy at local, regional and national levels. The examples are many but the following can give an indication of their resolve and contribution:    supporting families of those internally displaced as a result of the border war with Ethiopia and the ensuing occupation of sovereign Eritrean territories dynamic participation in the fight against HIV/AIDS role and contribution in the project to support for Martyr‟s families campaign against FGM/C and early marriage 67. The operation of new faiths, with funding from external source is, however a matter seen in the context of Proclamation 73/1995. These groups refused to comply with the basic requirements of the Proclamation and the administrative procedure established accordingly. They also agitated to sow discord among the different religious denominations. In this vein, the Government thus strengthened the implementation of the Proclamation and requested the new faiths to register and declare their source of funding. Most did not want to comply with the regulations because they are driven by external groups and funding. 68. Moreover, the Jehovah‟s Witnesses had long forfeited their legal status when they refused to recognize the “temporal government” after liberation and opposed the referendum process conducted in April 1993 to determine the independent status of the nation after 30 years national liberation struggle. The groups failed to comply with the rules and further continued Page 19 of 100