A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 447. The Special Rapporteur is grateful that the Government of Viet Nam replied by letter of 17 June2010. 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 minorities (category C. 5.). 3. (a) Urgent appeal sent on 6 October 2010 jointly with the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Allegations transmitted to the Government 448. The Special Procedures mandate holders brought to the attention of the Government information regarding the situation of Degar Christians in 32 villages in Gia Lai Province, Central Highlands of Viet Nam. According to the information received, on 22 August 2010, Vietnamese soldiers, riot police, security forces and local police forces reportedly surrounded, attacked and threatened Degar Christians in the following 32 villages in Gia Lai Province: Ploi Ngol Grong, Ploi Ngol Le, Ploi Khop, Ploi Ge, Ploi Sung Kep, Ploi Sung Tung, Ploi Bak, Ploi Phun, Ploi Bang, Ploi Kuao, Ploi Klah, Ploi lam Klah, Ploi Bang, Ploi Bui Hle, Ploi Kenh, Ploi Phin, Ploi Le Ngol, Ploi Ho Bi, Ploi Hreng, Ploi Mrong Yu, Ploi Wan, Ploi Kom, Ploi Bang, Ploi Beng, Ploi Del, Ploi Te, Ploi Nang, Ploi K’mong, Ploi Krung, Ploi Hluh, Ploi Ciam and Ploi Khop. 449. Reportedly, the Christian villagers were told to renounce their faith and officially join the State-approved church, the Evangelical Church of Viet Nam (ECVN). The soldiers and police allegedly sprayed chemicals in some villagers’ eyes, beat them up until they fell down to the ground unconscious, hand cuffed them and arrested them. 450. Ms. Puih H´Bat, who had lead prayer services for Christians in her house in Ploi Bang village, Ia Chia commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province, has already been detained for more than two years. On 11 April 2008, Ms. Puih H´Bat was arrested by police officers and she was taken to Ia Grai district prison. A few days earlier, police had allegedly threatened her and demanded that she sign documents agreeing to follow the ECVN. Ms. Puih H´Bat was subsequently convicted of violating the law by “destruction of the unity of the people's solidarity” and sentenced to five years imprisonment in her home province. 451. The Special Procedures mandate holders appealed to the Government to ensure the right to freedom of religion or belief in accordance with the principles set forth in the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination based on Religion or Belief and article 18 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights as well as of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Special Procedures mandate holders requested information from the Government concerning the legal grounds for the arrest and detention of the above mentioned persons and how these measures are compatible with international norms and standards as stated, inter alia, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (b) No response received from the Government (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 452. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has so far not received a reply from the Government of Viet Nam concerning the above mentioned allegations. He would like to refer to General Assembly resolution 64/164, in which the Assembly urges States to step up their efforts to protect and promote freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, and to this end “(a) To ensure that their constitutional and legislative systems provide 85