12/27/2018 Laos (International Christian Concern) – Although state officials were required to be present to check for anti-government messaging, sources in the country say Lao Christians observed religious holiday services this year largely free from government interference.

According to Radio Free Asia, an official at the Lao National Reconstruction Front, which oversees religious affairs in the one-party Southeast Asian country, told the news outlet “We allow them to celebrate this event every year.”

However, “The only restriction is that when they are preaching, they are not allowed to say anything against the rules and laws of the country,” he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Where he works in Xiengkhouang province, around 800 Christians conduct services in their churches or at their pastors’ homes, but were required to invite local officials to attend in order to guarantee “order and security,” the official said.

Another Lao Christian in the capital, Vientiane, told RFA that Christians in the capital celebrated Christmas this year in local churches with state officials present to provide “security and protection.”

In the Buddhist majority Laos, Christians only take up 1.5 percent. In USCIRF’s 2017 report, with regards to Laos, it noted “in some parts of the country, religious freedom conditions are generally free. But in other areas, local authorities harass and discriminate against religious and ethnic minorities, and pervasive government control and onerous regulations impede freedom of religion or belief.” The report added, “local officials who inconsistently interpret and implement religious regulations also tend to be highly suspicious of Christians.”

For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.