ICC Note: Laos has passed a new law last August to regulate religious meetings. All meetings must obtain approval from multiple government agencies. However, approval is rare if at all. Laotian Christians are concerned that the law would be used primarily to shut down religious activity and religious expression.

07/06/2018 Laos (Mission Network News) – The freedom to meet with members of the Body of Christ is at risk in Laos. A new law requires all religious meetings must first get approval from multiple government offices. Laos’ Prime Minister signed this Decree on Associations in August 2017. According to The Voice of the Martyrs, approval is rarely given — if at all.

Todd Nettleton with VOM explains, “The focus is on groups of people that gather together. Whether it be for Christian purposes or for political purposes or even like a labor union purpose, the government wants to control who you gather with and what you do during this gatherings. So the focus of the law is not necessarily particularly aimed at religion; however, the concern among the Christians in Laos is it’s going to be used primarily to shut down religious activity and religious expression.”

Laos is a state party to seven core treaties on international human rights. Earlier this year, Laos also participated in their 8th Dialogue on Human Rights and Governance with the European Union and agreed to reinforce human rights. However, this new law is a clear violation of human rights and religious freedom in the country.

“What this means on the ground in Laos is people who want to do religious activities — the people Voice of the Martyrs calls frontline workers carrying the Gospel out to the frontlines — they face more hurdles now because there [are] more people they need to check in with and get permission from if they are going to do this legally. If they don’t do it legally, they are subject to arrest and persecution.”

This law has already been skewed to target religious minorities in Laos, especially in rural areas. Buddhism, the majority religion, is often exempt from the Decree of Association’s meeting requirements.

Laos stands at 20th place on the World Watch List for “very high persecution” of Christians. A large amount of persecution Lao Christians face comes from Communist and Post-communist oppression.

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For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].