A/58/296 Viet Nam 108. In a letter dated 11 April 2003, the Special Rapporteur informed the Vietnamese Government of various reports that head reached him relating to problems encountered by Christian Montagnards: – In December 2001, the authorities allegedly arrested and interrogated, several Montagnards who had planned to organize Christmas celebrations. Some of them, in particular, were allegedly tortured and various religious objects were reportedly confiscated. – In December 2002, several Montagnards were allegedly warned not to celebrate Christmas and to renounce their faith. In the village of Buon Drai, persons suspected of being a preacher or a Degar Christian were allegedly forced to denounce their faith in front of other villagers. Furthermore, three Montagnards were allegedly taken from the town of Phu Thien by security forces and crucified on poles. – In January and February 2002, many Christian Montagnards were allegedly arrested and tortured. On 30 January 2003, the authorities reportedly threatened to kill or imprison the inhabitants of Buon Hra and Buon Cua if they did not renounce their faith. 109. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that, by the end of September 2002, 354 of the 412 churches in the province of Dak Lak were allegedly closed down and that the remaining 58 churches might very shortly be closed. 110. Finally, the Special Rapporteur transmitted to the Vietnamese Government a listing of Hmong Christian pastors who were allegedly detained because of their religious beliefs and drew the attention of the Government to the case of Nguyen Dang Chi, a pastor from Phy Ly (Tri An), who was allegedly arrested on 6 July 2002 and held in a cell for 24 hours in inhumane conditions. 111. Concerning the Buddhist community, in addition to Le Quang Liem, head of the Hao Hao Buddhist church, who is said to have begun a hunger strike to protest his two-year house arrest, at least a dozen other Buddhists are allegedly still being detained on religious grounds. 112. Finally, the Special Rapporteur provided information on the arrest of Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, on 17 March 2003, for criticizing the Government’s policy on freedom of religion and information. 113. By a communication dated 11 June 2003, the Vietnamese Government indicated to the Special Rapporteur that the allegations according to which churches are forcibly dismantled in the province of Dak Lak and practising Christians are threatened, arrested and tortured are complete distortions and pure slander. Vietnamese law guarantees the right to freedom of religion and belief and stipulates that all religions should be treated equally by the State, and that no person may be tortured or arrested for exercising the right to freedom of religion or belief. 114. The Government reaffirmed that it has a consistent policy of respect for religious freedom. Article 70 of the Constitution stipulates that citizens enjoy freedom of religion and belief, that they may practise any or no religion, that all religions are equal before the law, that places of worship are protected by the law and that no one may violate freedom of belief and religion or use beliefs or religions 18