A/HRC/13/40/Add.4 groups, women and disadvantaged children. The Special Rapporteur was also informed of the quota system which is designed to support members of ethnic groups who apply for access to higher education and universities. At university level, there is currently a quota of 40 per cent for entry of ethnic minorities and this quota is apparently scheduled to increase to 60 per cent by the year 2012. The Special Rapporteur urges the State to consider affirmative action in the education policy towards members of religious minorities too. 45. In addition, members of religious minorities are not encouraged – on the contrary, it seems to be frowned upon – to join the only political party in the State. The Special Rapporteur was informed that Christians who wanted to become a member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party were asked to sign a declaration that they have renounced their faith. Such a discriminatory approach places a glass ceiling on access to, and promotion in, public service for religious minorities and their effective participation in decision-making. Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights stipulates that every citizen has the right and the opportunity, without any distinction of religion and without unreasonable restrictions, to take part in the conduct of public affairs; to vote and to be elected; and to have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in the country. 46. Another issue of concern for religious minorities seems to be their restricted access to religious material. Decree No. 92/PM requires authorization for the printing of books related to religion (article 14) and for communication of believers with foreign organizations, religious agencies and individuals (article 17). In practice, the approval process is reportedly used to limit or prevent some Christian denominations from importing and printing Bibles. Representatives of the Lao Front for National Construction confirmed that they inspect all religious publications and do not allow any additions to original texts, seeking to protect the interests and traditional message of the religion concerned. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur would like to caution against undue state interference into religious autonomy and the interpretation of substantive religious beliefs. She also wishes to refer to the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, which states that the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief includes, inter alia, the freedom to make, acquire and use to an adequate extent the necessary articles and materials related to the rites or customs of a religion or belief (article 6 c); the freedom to write, issue and disseminate relevant publications in these areas (article 6 d); and the freedom to establish and maintain communications with individuals and communities in matters of religion and belief at the national and international levels (article 6 i). D. Liberty of movement in the context of religious activities 47. The Special Rapporteur was told by government officials and religious leaders that the latter are subjected to bureaucratic controls in their liberty of movement in the context of their religious activities. Religious leaders have to notify provincial authorities prior to holding any religious gatherings at public locations and inform the authorities of their movements between provinces and sometimes even between districts. These restrictions seem to vary from province to province and from one religious community to another. In addition, the Special Rapporteur received allegations that the authorities in some provinces15 in practice do not give passports to Christians in order to prevent them from leaving the country. 15 GE.10-10542 Including the provinces of Attapeu, Huaphanh, Phongsaly, Sakong and Xayabury. 15