A/HRC/15/60 development, as well as in the protection of human rights. As a neighbouring country, China understood the unique problems and challenges faced in promoting and protecting human rights. China urged the international community to provide the necessary financial and technical support. 337. The Islamic Republic of Iran applauded the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for supporting most recommendations, including the recommendations made by Iran. It expressed its appreciation for the positive achievements in the field of poverty eradication, the rights to work, education and health, the rights of women and children, the right to life, the right to participate in public affairs, cultural rights and the right to information. It hoped that future reports would reflect a continuation of its efforts to promote the rights of women and children and to implement existing programmes and projects to enhance socioeconomic rights, with a view to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. 338. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea appreciated the efforts made by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in promoting and protecting human rights. The State had intensified its efforts to implement strategies and measures, particularly in the areas of poverty eradication, education and human resources. It reiterated its appreciation for the commitment demonstrated by the State to the universal periodic review process. 3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders 339. The International Federation for Human Rights Leagues deplored the fact that the Lao People’s Democratic Republic had rejected two recommendations on the creation of an independent human rights commission and the release of persons detained for their participation in a peaceful demonstration. The release of persons who had participated in a peaceful demonstration, particularly those persons arrested in October 1999, would be a major step towards freedom of expression and assembly. It regretted that a number of countries had praised the State for its achievements in economic, social and cultural rights, as well as women’s rights, without making any specific recommendations in this regard. It also regretted that the participation of civil society in the preparation of the Lao report had been limited. It called upon the State to accept the principle of universality of human rights and to allow for the emergence of an independent civil society. 340. The Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Network remained deeply concerned about continued human rights violations against the Hmong people, and urged the international community to monitor their situation. It was also concerned about the trafficking of almost 30 Hmong children in 2005, and urged the authorities to prosecute promptly those responsible and ascertain the whereabouts and well-being of these children. The Network believed that United Nations human rights experts should be given the opportunity to visit victims in the Xaysombune special zone, who were confronted with daily military operations. 341. Amnesty International welcomed the engagement by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic with the universal periodic review, but regretted that the State had rejected the recommendation to release detained peaceful demonstrators. It urged the Lao authorities to release, immediately and unconditionally, the three men arrested on 26 October 1999 for attempting to hold a peaceful demonstration in Vientiane, and thus to demonstrate its commitment to protect human rights in practice. Amnesty International welcomed the acceptance by the State of recommendations calling for full implementation of the provisions of the ICCPR related to freedom of speech, but was disappointed that the recommendations to revoke laws that suppress the right to freedom of expression and assembly had been rejected. It made reference to several recommendations concerning the Lao Hmong, including refugees and asylum-seekers returned from Thailand in December 2009, and regretted that the State had only partially accepted these recommendations. It urged the Government to ensure unhindered and independent access by UNHCR and GE.11-17043 133