E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.1 Page 98 471. It is affirmed that Hoang and Tho committed traffic offences and violations of the law. The police treatment they received was in full accordance with the law. However, Hoang and Tho, under their religious cloak, attempted to accuse the administration of persecution on religious grounds. 472. Tran Minh Hoang and Nguye n Thanh Tho now are completely free. Communication sent on 3 June 2005 with the Special Rapporteur on torture 473. The Special Rapporteurs had received information concerning Degars, a Vietnamese Christian community in the provinces of Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and D ak Nong. 474. In March and April 2005, government officials in Chu Se, Dak Doa and Ia Grai Districts of Gia Lai province held several long meetings for Montagnards from many villages at district headquarters, during which they warned them not to follow Degar Christianity, and in some cases forced them to sign documents in which they would promise to renounce their belief. There have also been attempts to force several Degar Christians to abandon their belief by threats or other forms of violence. Several pastors and a large number of Christians were arrested and warned not to practice their belief without government approval. During detention several of them were illtreated. Similar incidents took place in Dak Lak province. There were also allegations that some members of the Degar community were subjected to torture. Response from the Government dated 25 July 2005 475. The Government indicated that in Vietnam, the rights to freedom if religion or belief and freedom of non-religion or belief are ensured. Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution of Vietnam clearly states: “The citizen shall enjoy freedom of belied and of religion; he can follow any religion or follow none. All religions are equal before the law… No one can violate freedom of belief and religion; no one can misuse belief and religion to contravene the law and the State policies”. No one is punished or detained on religious grounds. Only violations of the law will be treated in accordance with the law. In practice, these rights are guaranteed and strictly observed. 476. Like other religions, freedom of practice of Protestantism is respected and ensured throughout the country, including the Central Highlands. Since the passing of the State Decree on Belief and Religion (Nov. 2004) and the Instruction No. 01 by the Prime Minister (Feb. 2005), local governments, especially in the Central Highlands, have been taking further measures to create favourable conditions for local people to exercise their right to freedom of belief and religion. 477. In the Central Highlands, the legal status of 12 Protestant Associations has been recognized; 7 other Associations have been registered for operation; the construction of 2 churches has started; 1 church has been restored in Dak Lak province. Training courses have been held for 82 priests. 478. Some people mistakenly think of “Degars Christianity” as a sect of Protestantism. “Degars Christianity”, in fact, is illegally created and disseminated by separatists (most of them are FULRO members) among some ethnic minority groups