A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 271. On 9 February 2010, the Deputy Head of Ta-Oyl District visited the field and directed the Christians to stop erecting temporary shelters and to sleep on the ground instead. It has also been reported that the Katin village authorities have confiscated livestock of Katin Christians in at least two occasions over the past year. The children of the Christians, who are still prevented from returning to their village, are reportedly starving for lack of food. 272. The Special Rapporteurs appealed to the Government to protect the human rights of the Christians from Katin village, and in particular to ensure their right to freedom of religion or belief in accordance with articles 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (b) No response received from the Government (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 273. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has so far not received a reply from the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic concerning the above mentioned allegations. He would like to reiterate that, according to article 18, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, “no one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice”. The Human Rights Committee indicated in its general comment 22 that “Article 18.2 bars coercion that would impair the right to have or adopt a religion or belief, including the use of threat of physical force or penal sanctions to compel believers or non-believers to adhere to their religious beliefs and congregations, to recant their religion or belief or to convert. Policies or practices having the same intention or effect […] are similarly inconsistent with article 18.2.” 274. Furthermore, the General Assembly, in its resolution 64/164, “urges States to step up their efforts to protect and promote freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, and to this end: (a) To ensure that their constitutional and legislative systems provide adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief to all without distinction, inter alia, by the provision of effective remedies in cases where the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, or the right to practise freely one’s religion, including the right to change one’s religion or belief, is violated”. With regard to the alleged coercions and evictions of Christians, the Special Rapporteur would also like to refer to the observations and recommendations in his predecessor’s country report to the Human Rights Council on the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (see A/HRC/13/40/Add.4, para. 68): “Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur is concerned about the inadequate level of implementation of the legislative protection for freedom of religion or belief. The central and provincial authorities should ensure that the local administration level ceases ordering evictions or otherwise trying to coerce Christians to renounce their faith.” Q. Pakistan 1. Communication sent on 22 January 2010 (a) Allegations transmitted to the Government 275. The Special Rapporteur brought to the attention of the Government information regarding the situation of Hindu minority living in Khudaabad Hala, District Matiari, Sindh. According to the information received, Ms. Samira Ood, a twelve year old Hindu girl and daughter of Mr. Bachayo Ood, died in 2009 in Khudaabad Hala, District Matiari, Sindh. 54