Laos

Where Persecution Comes From

In Laos, Christian persecution originates from communist authorities, local leaders and their immediate communities and families. Due to the tight grip of the Communist Party in this Southeast Asian country, religion is seen as a hostile element. Christianity, in particular, is considered a Western influence and especially dangerous. The government has recently made efforts to increase the monitoring of illegal house churches with the help of registered churches, resulting in the arrest and detention of Christian believers. Provincial and local authorities hinder Christian activity, often cooperating with community leaders like Buddhist monks to put pressure on Christians, especially converts. Families of converts heavily contribute to this persecution within the home.

How Christians are Suffering

Because the communist authorities heavily monitor all religious activities, including those of registered Christian churches, all religious gatherings must be reported beforehand. House churches are forced to operate illegally, in secret. Converts to Christianity become outsiders within their Buddhist-animist communities, pressured by family members and local authorities to recant their new faith. Some believers are arrested and detained when caught engaging in illegal church activities, or when Bibles or other Christian literature are discovered. Others are threatened, fined or beaten in an attempt to make them renounce their faith.

Examples

Buddhist teachings are often considered part of Lao “cultural education,” so they are included in the curriculum at some schools. In one case, Christian students were required to attend a Buddhist temple ritual.

In September 2016, the families and fellow villages of 50 people gave them three days to give up their Christian faith. On the second day, one of the 50 was murdered.

In January 2017, the house of a church leader was burned down.