Bangkok--23 Nov--UNISBKK
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ms. Asma Jahangir, will visit the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 23 to 30 November 2009, at the invitation of the Government, in what is the first mission to the country by a UN human rights expert monitoring religious freedom.
“I welcome the recent ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,” said Ms. Jahangir announcing her forthcoming country mission. “Article 18 of the Covenant enshrines freedom of religion or belief and I have been mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council to identify any existing or emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of this freedom,” she added.
The Special Rapporteur’s visit will include meetings in the capital Vientiane as well as in Luang Prabang and Savannakhet provinces. She will meet with various Government officials responsible for matters of religion or belief. Her visit will also include meetings with representatives of religious or belief communities, civil society organizations and United Nations agencies.
A press conference to share her preliminary findings will be held on 30 November 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in UN House, Vientiane. Following her visit, the Special Rapporteur will present a report containing her conclusions and recommendations to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2010.