His report provides examples of overt and covert discrimination against Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Scientology, Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses. Amor says that religious minorities, particularly Muslims, have been the butt of prejudice and stereotyping. Islam continues to be associated with religious extremism and terrorism - particularly in the media in the United States, Germany and Australia. The Muslim extremism, which broke out in Indonesia also, in some cases, has led to violent counter-attacks by Christian extremists. Judaism may also be subjected to distortion in Israel by Jewish extremists, according to the study.
Women are the prime target of the evil known as religious extremism,'' the study adds.
Traditions attributable to religion are very often an obstacle to the implementation of legislation that treats women more fairly. In Saudi Arabia, for example, such freedom of movement appears to be restricted, even non-existent, since a woman going abroad to study has to be accompanied by a family member. Moreover, Saudi women are prohibited from driving motor vehicles while access to buses and public facilities is subject to segregation. In Kuwait, a Muslim woman would not be allowed to marry a non- Muslim. Lastly, legislation may also require that women be dressed in a certain way. ''The most manifest and insidious case in which women are totally deprived of their rights results from legislation which recognises the transmission of citizenship to children only through the male line,'' Amor says.