Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 150 | Wed 14 Mar 2012
By Elizabeth Kendal
Laos is a Communist-ruled South-east Asian state known for its abysmal
human rights record, particularly its appalling prison conditions and
systematic use of torture. Christians in this poor, landlocked nation face
intensive persecution. Generally the religious persecution occurs outside
the main cities, targets the already marginalised and persecuted ethnic
minorities and is committed by belligerent and corrupt local officials. In
Laos, religious liberty exists in theory but not in practice. Article 30
of the Laos Constitution states: ‘Lao citizens have the right and freedom
to believe or not to believe in religions.’ However, the Prime Minister’s
2002 Decree on Religious Practice (Decree 92) renders religious liberty
illusory by mandating that religious activities first be approved by the
village, district and regional authorities.
Furthermore, Decree 92 and Article 9 of the Constitution prohibit
activities that could cause ‘chaos’ or ‘social division’. Lao Communists
oppose the growth of Protestant Christianity amongst the ethnic
minorities, viewing it as part of a US conspiracy to destroy social
cohesion and challenge Communist rule. Meanwhile, ethnic minority groups
with a tradition of ancestor worship oppose Christianity, fearing
reprisals from offended ancestral spirits. Denial of services
(educational, medical, sanitation), imprisonments, forced renunciations of
faith (using threats and torture) and expulsions are the main means
employed against Christians by Communist officials determined to maintain
control over a harmonious society. In January 2010 eleven Christian
families consisting of 48 believers were expelled at gunpoint from Katin
village in Ta-Oih district, Saravan Province, southern Laos, simply on
account of their faith. Over the course of the year several other
families, moved by the Christians’ witness, decided to follow Christ and
were also expelled. These believers have suffered greatly, losing
everything they owned, with some even dying in the bush. They are slowly
re-establishing themselves but life is hard.
On 2 March 2012 Khamla, the only known Christian in the whole of
Viengphuka district in Luang Namtha Province, was summoned to meet with
Lao officials at their headquarters. Khamla had recently converted to
Christianity after being miraculously healed from a long-term disease in
answer to the prayers of believers from another district. After rebuking
and interrogating Khamla, the authorities gave him an ultimatum: recant or
leave Dongvieng village by 7 March. Local authorities are reportedly
determined to keep Christianity out of Viengphuka district. No update on
Khamla is available.
On 18 February local authorities in Pakoo district of Luangprabang
Province issued an expulsion order against ten Christian families. The
families, comprising some 65 believers, were given until 18 March to
either recant their faith or leave Hueygong village. Eight of the ten
families became Christian only three months ago, but without the
permission of the Pakoo district chief, a district religious affairs
official and the secretary of the Communist party’s regional branch. Head
of religious affairs of Luangprabang Province, Mr Bousee Chantuma, has
reportedly intervened and is seeking a reversal of the expulsion order on
the grounds that it is illegal as provincial religious affairs are
supposed to be under his jurisdiction. Whether he is protesting injustice
or procedural irregularity is unclear. Not all officials are prepared to
use force against Christians who stand their ground. In mid-January local
authorities threatened to expel 14 Christian families, comprising over 80
believers, from Hueysell village in Ngoi district, also in Luangprabang
Province, unless they recanted their faith. Standing firm in faith, the
believers held their ground and while the authorities continue to threaten
and intimidate, as yet they have not used force against them.
PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL —
* bless his faithful Church in Laos, protecting them wherever they are,
meeting all their spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
* redeem this suffering, using the arising witness to fan flickers of
faith into a revival that transforms communities: may there be a
spiritual awakening in Laos that liberates tribal animists driven by
fear of ancestral spirits; Lao Buddhists driven by fear into legalism
and ritual; and spiritually empty Communists driven by atheism into
meaninglessness, selfishness and cruelty.
* bring unity and solidarity to the body of Christ in Laos, so that
registered (state-approved) religious groups will not be ashamed of
those who are suffering on account of Christ’s name. May they have
strength and courage from the Holy Spirit to support their brothers and
sisters who are suffering. ‘By this all people will know that you are
my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (John 13:35 ESV)
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SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
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CHRISTIANS IN LAOS THREATENED — RECANT OR LEAVE
Whilst religious liberty is enshrined in the Laos constitution, it is
restricted by prohibitions in Article 9 and Decree 92 that forbid anything
that could cause social division. Virtually all religious activity must be
approved by village, district and regional civic (often animist) and
political (Communist) officials. Christians refusing to recant their faith
are routinely punished by denial of services and eventually expulsion from
their village. Khalma, a new believer, has been told to recant or leave
Dongvieng village, while 10 Christian families (65 believers) have been
ordered to recant or leave Hueygong village by Sunday 18 March. Other
Christian families in other villages are similarly at risk. Some who have
already been expelled after refusing to recant are struggling to survive.
Please pray for the Church in Laos.
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We suggest that churches and fellowships using the above Summary might
also provide a copy of the listed prayer points to be used in their
worship by people who are leading in prayer.
For more information, updates and helpful links see Elizabeth Kendal’s
blog ‘Religious Liberty Monitoring’ <http://elizabethkendal.
Previous RLPBs may be viewed at <http://rlprayerbulletin.
This RLPB was written for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious
Liberty Commission (AEA RLC) by Elizabeth Kendal, an international
religious liberty analyst and advocate, and a member of the AEA RLC team.
If this bulletin was forwarded to you, you may receive future weekly
issues direct by sending a blank email to <[email protected]>.
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