A/HRC/13/40/Add.4 living and the dead. There are highly detailed manuals to this effect and the related liturgical rules reportedly date back to the fourteenth century. Further ceremonies may involve, for example, beating the drum or the cymbals, dancing, chanting, making paper puppets and whispering secret formulae. 58. The Special Rapporteur was also informed of examples of harmful traditions and cruel practices of some ethnic minorities in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Members of the Akha ethnic group, who mainly live in the northern provinces of Phongsaly, Luang Nam Tha, Oudomxay and Bokeo, seem to regard giving birth to twins as a misfortune and believe that twins are demons or ghost children who have to be killed instantly after birth. In addition, the parents of the twins are usually forced to leave the village for a certain period of time and to burn their house. The local shaman is believed to need to purify the entire village and the affected lineage. The Government has spoken out against and prohibits these cruel practices. In a recent case in Phongsaly province in November 2009, new-born twins from the Akha ethnic group were reportedly given up for adoption to foster parents outside the village to prevent any violence being perpetrated on the infants. 59. Some ethnic groups, found mainly in the northern provinces of the country, reportedly used to offer opium during village events such as celebrating New Year, shamanistic rituals and funeral wakes. This practice is said to have contributed to a high level of opiate dependency and in 1998 the Lao People’s Democratic Republic had one of the highest opium addiction rates in the world. In 2005, opium cultivation was officially prohibited by the Government and opium addiction has reportedly dropped significantly. 60. With regard to harmful traditions and cruel practices, the Special Rapporteur would like to refer to General Assembly resolution 63/181, in which the Assembly emphasizes the need to address the situations of violence and discrimination that affect many women, as well as other individuals, on the grounds or in the name of religion or belief, or in accordance with cultural and traditional practices, and the misuse of religion or belief for ends inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations and other relevant instruments of the United Nations. In this context, the Special Rapporteur acknowledges that it is a difficult task to distinguish between the manifestations of religion or belief, which are protected under international human rights law, and harmful cultural or traditional practices. However, if such practices have detrimental effects on the enjoyment of the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, the State may and sometimes is even obliged to intervene. Ultimately, this decision should be taken on a case-by-case basis, taking into account any particular circumstances and the specific context. The Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize that freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.19 VI. Conclusions and recommendations 61. The people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic are generally very tolerant and easy-going on religious matters. During the last twelve years, however, the current mandate holder and her predecessor have received a number of very serious allegations of human rights violations by the State. The Special Rapporteur has communicated with the State in this regard, for example concerning alleged arrests and detentions on the basis of religion or official campaigns aimed at forcing 19 18 Article 18, para. 3, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. GE.10-10542