6. The lack of attention for statelessness issues by the National Report can be attributed to Lao PDR's prioritisation of other issues such as human rights for multi-ethnic people, improved governance, socio-economic development and poverty alleviation, food security and nutrition, health and education reforms, and the protection of women and children (including against human trafficking).4 7. One important issue in the National Report touching upon the issue of statelessness was the repatriation of the Hmong people from Thailand in 2009. The National Report states that all repatriated persons, "like any other Lao citizens, are entitled to travel documents such as passports or border passes which many of them have already received".5 Despite this statement, Canada nevertheless expressed concern, during the Interactive Dialogue in the Second Cycle, regarding the condition and treatment of the Hmong people following their repatriation, particularly in relation to freedom of religion and belief.6 8. In its National Report for the Second Cycle, Lao PDR made seven commitments.7 These are: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. considering accession to human rights conventions, including the Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED), Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW), and International Labour Organization conventions; continuing to translate the provisions of human rights conventions to which it is a party into national policies, laws and regulations, etc.; continuing to disseminate information on the constitutional provisions, laws and human rights to which it is a party, as well as recommendations under UPR; striving to fulfil its reporting obligations under its human rights conventions to which it is a party; co-operating with the international community within international, regional and bilateral frameworks; considering extending invitation to UN special rapporteurs to visit the country in the future as appropriate; and, actively contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights all over the world. 9. In relation to the commitments mentioned in paragraph 8.I, Lao PDR has not yet acceded to or ratified the CED nor CMW despite it supporting recommendations from reviewing States to do so (for example, from the Netherlands, Argentina, Canada and Spain). The National Report mentions that Lao PDR has signed the CED in 2008 and begun preparations for its early ratification. In July 2019, however, it has yet to do so. 10. In relation to the commitments mentioned in paragraph 8.VI, while Lao PDR has permitted a visit by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in 2010, and the Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children in 2019, it has not issued a standing invitation to all United Nations special rapporteurs, only noting (and not supporting) recommendations from reviewing States for it to do so (for example, from Japan, Ghana, Hungary, Netherlands, Latvia, paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21 - Lao People's Democratic Republic, 21st sess, UN Doc A/HRC/WG.6/21/LAO/1 (5 November 2014). 4 Ibid, Chapter IV, Section A. 5 Ibid, par 57. 6 Human Rights Council, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Lao People's Democratic Republic, 29th sess, UN Doc A/HRC/29/7 (23 March 2015), para 61. 7 Ibid 3, Chapter IV, Section B. 2