A/HRC/15/5 requests and petitions regarding the violation of rights with various authorities concerned, including Government authorities, the People’s Court, the public prosecutor and the National Assembly. 50. With regard to questions concerning ethnic groups and the Hmong issue, it was noted that Laos was a nation with 49 ethnic groups that lived together in peace and harmony. The Government pursued an unswerving policy of enhancing the solidarity and equality among the Lao multi-ethnic people. Equality for all ethnic groups was provided for in the Constitution, and the State pursued a policy of promoting unity and equality among all ethnic groups; ensuring for all groups the right to protect, preserve and promote their customs and cultures. Acts of segregation or discrimination aimed at ethnic groups were prohibited; the State implemented every measure to gradually develop and upgrade the socio-economic development levels of all ethnic groups. The Government had paid great attention to alleviating poverty with regard to each ethnic group in order to gradually improve their living conditions. 51. Laos noted that the Hmong were one of the ethnic groups that stood side by side with other such groups in the struggle for national liberation and in carrying out the strategic tasks of safeguarding and constructing the country. Although the Hmong represented less than 7 per cent of the population, their representation in the party was 12 per cent; in the Government, more than 10 per cent; in the National Assembly, 8 per cent; and among newly graduated students at primary and secondary schools and university, more than 12 per cent. 52. Regarding concerns over the repatriation of Hmong from Thailand, it was noted that more than 7,000 Lao Hmong who had illegally migrated to Thailand for economic reasons had been safely welcomed back in accordance with the bilateral agreement between the Governments of Laos and Thailand. A great number of them had voluntarily returned to their original home towns, with the assistance of the Government. For those who did not wish to return to their original home towns or villages, but rather to move to the new Government-sponsored development villages arranged for returnees, the Government had responded accordingly and continued to provide assistance. 53. Those who had once considered migrating to a third country had now changed their minds and decided to resettle in their mother land, since they had met their loved ones and relatives after having been apart for three years, and had been treated fairly by the Government. The Government maintained its consistent position of welcoming goodwill visits to their sites by representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations. 54. With regard to the 158 Hmong recognized as “persons of concern” under the mandate of UNHCR, it was noted that they should no longer be seen as persons of concern, since the repatriated Hmong were now living safely in their homeland without fear and were being assisted by their own Government. The returnees were full citizens of Laos and could travel inside the country and abroad, like other Lao citizens. 55. With regard to freedom of religion, Laos confirmed that it was guaranteed under the Constitution and that all citizens were free to believe or not to believe in any religion. All acts creating division or constituting discrimination against religions and creating social disorder were prohibited. In addition, laws and regulations such as Prime Minister Decree No. 92-PM, on the Management and Protection of Religious Activities in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, also provided for religious freedom. 56. Over the previous two decades, the establishment of hundreds of new evangelist and other churches had been authorized and tens of thousands of persons had been converted. If any social problem had arisen from this, it had been caused by a local dispute between those who respected traditional rituals and those who had adopted new rituals. In some 9