A/HRC/45/2 Government’s openness to provide countrywide training on the rights of religious minorities to public officials, police and other key actors. It further welcomed the Government’s willingness to ensure accountability for acts of violence, discrimination and persecution of ethnic and religious minorities. It looked forward to the establishment of a mechanism for individuals to appeal to a national authority for arrests and decisions enacted by local officials. It noted that the Lao People’s Democratic Republic accepted recommendations relating to the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers. However, it deeply regretted the Government’s unwillingness to acknowledge the human rights violations suffered in its territory by Hmong and Montagnard Christians fleeing from persecution in Viet Nam. It called upon the Government to uphold the rights of these vulnerable groups, including the principle of non-refoulement. It regretted that the Lao People’s Democratic Republic had rejected calls to amend Decree 238 on Associations despite its detrimental impact on activities of religious groups both registered and nonregistered. The latter, in particular, faced serious curtailments to their freedom of association, including abuse by local officials. 491. Amnesty International (by video message) regretted that the Lao People’s Democratic Republic did not accept recommendations to abolish the death penalty, to ratify all international human rights treaties and protocols, to investigate grave human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and torture, to establish a National Human Rights Commission, and to amend legislation to protect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. It also regretted that the Lao People’s Democratic Republic had still to implement recommendations it had supported at the previous universal periodic review, including on the enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone and treaty ratification. It welcomed the undertaking of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and urged that this be done without reservations. However, it lamented that Lao People’s Democratic Republic did not accept recommendations on investigating the situation of missing Thai Lao political activists, feared to have been subjected to enforced disappearances. It also welcomed the undertaking of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to release those detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. It praised the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s support for recommendations on international standards on land acquisition and displacement. Displaced communities continued to report lack of adequate consultations and compensation, and damages to their livelihoods and environment. 492. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (by video message) welcomed the acceptance by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic of recommendations on the right to freedom of religion or belief. While there were some improvements during the reporting period, weak rule of law, ambiguous terms and obstacles to registration continued to undermine the rights of Laos’ religious communities. It also welcomed the acceptance of recommendations calling for Decree 315 on Associations to be reviewed and amended but regretted that a recommendation to allow all religious communities to meet and conduct activities freely, regardless of registration, was only noted. It observed that, in general, improvements were mostly restricted to urban areas. Christians in rural areas have reported incidents of arbitrary detention, forced eviction, confiscation of land and livestock, destruction of property, harassment and discrimination. It further called on the Government to immediately and unconditionally release anyone detained in connection with the peaceful practice and observance of their religion or belief. It also urged the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to review its declaration pertaining to Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and ensure that the guarantees enshrined in Article 18 were applied to all citizens. It concluded its statement by urging United Nations Member States to monitor and assist with the implementation of recommendations made in the context of this review. 86