A/HRC/16/45/Add.2 teachers who speak ethnic minority languages to use those languages consistently in their teaching activities; increasing provision of training in local languages for Kinh teachers in ethnic minority areas; and supporting ethnic minorities to become teachers and teaching assistants. C. Religious minorities 92. The independent expert was informed of some progress and positive developments with regard to religious freedoms and the rights of religious minorities. She was also informed, however, of persistent problems, some of which may constitute denial of religious freedoms and other human rights violations. 93. The independent expert remains concerned by continuous reports that legitimate religious practices and peaceful protests by religious minorities, including ethnic minority Protestants, H’mong Christians and Khmer Buddhists, have resulted in restrictions on the freedoms of movement, expression and assembly, harassment and imprisonment. The Government must respect fully the rights of religious minorities and refrain from imposing unjustified restrictions or penalties on individuals and communities exercising their right to peaceful protest. 94. The bureaucratic controls on faith establishments appear to be used most assiduously with respect to Protestant churches and to be grounded in the history of opposition to the Government by ethnic minorities located in the central highlands that also identified as members of the Protestant church. 95. The Government appears to believe that remnants of the political opposition group remain and attempt to conceal their activities by presenting them in the guise of religious practices. As articulated in the Instruction of the Prime Minister on tasks regarding Protestantism (2005), the task of the Government is “to combat resolutely designs and manoeuvres of hostile elements to abuse religion and the Protestant signboard to incite and lure people, sow division in the nation and conduct activities against the country”. The Instruction makes a distinction, however, between those who have “a need for purely religious practices” and those who act on behalf of the United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Races, or Dega Protestantism. Even the more benign category, however, appears to be under restrictions, even though they are of a lesser and more temporary nature. 96. National security and national unity are issues of great importance to the Government, and harsh penalties exist in law for those considered to be undermining them. Efforts to ensure security and consolidation of national unity, however, must comply with international human rights obligations and must not infringe the rights of ethnic or religious minorities. 97. Persistent allegations of arbitrary detention and mistreatment of detainees, including those from ethnic and religious minorities, are serious concerns that require responses and assurances from the Government that due process and the rule of law are consistently applied in line with international standards and enforced at the national and provincial levels. All those in detention for activities that would, under international standards, constitute the peaceful exercise of their rights should be released immediately. 21