A/HRC/48/28 to the country and the cooperation by the State of Kuwait with any inquiries from international bodies, in all openness, on this subject.189 81. On 27 July 2021, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report reaffirming that the allegations contained in this annex are erroneous and rejected them categorically. With regard to the opinion by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Government stated that it had provided a comprehensive response, including corrections and clarifications. The Government also expressed its objection to the opinion of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers who in its view had formed a preconceived belief regarding the credibility of the complainant and made a statement on Twitter against Kuwait and in support of the complainant’s point of view before he sent his communication requesting clarifications. The Government reiterated that the allegations reported to both the Working Group and the Special Rapporteur are false and fabricated. 82. Regarding the statement from the Kuwait Ports Authority cited by Ms. Lazareva’s legal team, the Government stated that it was not issued without reason, but as a reaction to the statements and declarations made and the smear campaign carried out by the public relations departments of certain law firms whose aim was to undermine Kuwait’s judicial system and the country’s economic and investment security, and to raise doubts regarding the integrity of several officials. The Government stated these firms sought to defame the Kuwait Ports Authority, including by threatening to resort to the UN in an attempt to intimidate, obstruct justice and influence the judiciary’s decision. The Government further stated that Kuwait allows Ms. Lazareva’s international legal team to visit the country to do interviews without any hindrance, and that they did not lodge any complaints with the competent authorities in Kuwait, including the judiciary. 16. Lao People’s Democratic Republic of 83. The alleged enforced disappearance of Mr. Od Sayavong was included in the 2020 report of the Secretary-General. 190 Mr. Sayavong, a Lao refugee recognized by UNHCR living in Bangkok and former member of “Free Lao”, a group of Lao migrant workers and human rights defenders in Thailand, had engaged with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights prior to his visit in March 2019 (LAO 2/2019).191 In January 2020, the Government reported that it had undertaken an investigation, including verifying information with the Lao Embassy in Thailand and visiting Mr. Sayavong’s family, but that it could not ascertain the activities nor whereabouts of Mr. Sayavong and denied any involvement in his alleged disappearance.192 84. On 11 December 2020, special procedures mandate holders addressed the reported “lack of progress in the search and investigation” of this and other cases (LAO 4/2020). The mandate holders noted that, on 22 June 2020, Mr. Sayavong’s family were invited by the Thai Department of Special Investigation to discuss the case and DNA of one family member was collected. The case has been transferred to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for investigation as no progress had been made in the case by the local police in Beungkum Police Station. They expressed concern that Mr. Sayavong’s fate and whereabouts continued to be unknown and noted that his case is being treated under the humanitarian mandate of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances remains outstanding (LAO 4/2020). 189 190 191 192 66 https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=36082. A/HRC/45/36, para. 83 and Annex I, paras. 68–69. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25087&LangID=E. https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=35121.