A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 431. The Special Rapporteur is grateful that the Government of Viet Nam replied by letter of 19 March 2010. He wishes to take this opportunity to refer to his framework for communications, more specifically to the international human rights norms and to the mandate practice concerning the vulnerable situation of persons deprived of their liberty (category C. 2.). 2. Communication sent on 3 February 2010 (a) Allegations transmitted to the Government 432. The Special Rapporteur brought to the attention of the Government information regarding the families of Mr. Sung Cua Po, Mr. Sung A Sinh and Mr. Hang A Xa, who converted to Protestant Christianity in Na Son Commune, Dien Bien Dong District, Dien Bien Province in North-West Viet Nam. 433. According to the information received, in November 2009, the families of Mr. Sung Cua Po and Mr. Sung A Sinh from Ho Co Village in Na Son Commune and the family of Mr. Hang A Xa Trung Phu Village in Na Son Commune converted from their traditional animist beliefs to Protestant Christianity. On 1 December 2009, Mr. Sung Cua Po, Mr. Sung A Sinh and Mr. Hang A Xa reported that commune police incited the public to abuse and stone the three men and their families due to their religious conversion. Reportedly they were taken to the Na Son Commune People’s Committee office by district and commune police. The three men were pressurized to renounce their faith and on refusing to do so were severely beaten around 1:00 a.m. on 2 December 2009. Mr. Sung Cua Po was fined 8 million Dong (around 430 USD) and one pig of at least 16 kg in weight. His father, who was present allegedly at police insistence, took Mr. Po’s cell phone and motorbike away from him, purportedly to prevent him contacting Christians or running away. Mr. Sung A Sinh and Mr. Hang A Xa were also fined a pig of at least 16 kg in weight. 434. Subsequently, all three men received an official “Second Summons” dated 11 December 2009 stating that they were required to appear at the Na Son Commune Peoples’ Committee Office at 7:30 a.m. on 15 December 2009. This document was signed by the Na Son Commune Police Chief and indicated that the purpose of the meeting was “to take care of business relating to following the Vang Chu religion”. 435. On 15 December 2009, Mr. Sung Cua Po and his wife appeared at the Na Son Commune People’s Committee Office. Police then accompanied them to visit members of their extended family where the police incited the family members to pressurize the couple to renounce their faith. Police in attendance threatened Mr. Sung Cua Po, saying that unless he renounced his Christian faith they would beat him to death and then seize his property, leaving his widowed wife and fatherless children homeless. Under pressure and fearful for his life, Mr. Sung Cua Po signed renunciation papers provided by the police, indicating that he rejected Protestant Christianity and would return to his “traditional beliefs”. He was told not to associate with, visit or speak on the phone with other Christians. Mr. Sung Cua Po was also subjected to additional social pressure, family and clan “fines” and spirit rites to appease the traditional Hmong spirits, whom the villagers believe have been offended by the family’s conversion to Christianity. Mr. Sung Cua Po reportedly remains under threat of death unless he voluntarily offers sacrifices to his ancestors on 13 February 2010, i.e. Eve of the Tet New Year. However, completing these sacrificial rites at the Tet festival would reportedly be incompatible with the Christian faith. 436. In late December 2009, Mr. Hang A Xa received an additional “Fourth Summons” handwritten by the chief of Trung Phu Village. Mr. Xa was ordered to appear at the private house of the village chief, bringing with him sufficient food to feed everyone present and 82