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Last year the Lao National Front declared Christianity as the "number one enemy of the state." According to Lao Christians, officials told villagers that those who believe in the "Jesus religion" were bought by foreign powers (the United States government) and those who follow Jesus were no longer good Lao citizens. Instead of buckling under the pressure, a significant number of Christian leaders steel themselves against harassment and intimidation. A Christian who recently applied for an official identify card says the card did not reflect that he had chosen "Christian" as his religious affiliation. When the believer asked about the mistake, he heard that his being identified as a Christian would create difficulties." I will accept the responsibility for any consequences," he replied. "I have already spent more than a year in prison because I am a Christian."

Persecution watchdog groups International Christian Concern and Christian Solidarity Worldwide have regularly updated reports on Laos.The U.S. Department of State has recent reports on religious freedom and human rights in general. Both are available at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom site.

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June 12 2000, Vol. 44, No. 7