Laos: Christians forced to deny their faith

A catholic church in the province of  Savannakhet.

The civil authorities of the district of Atsaphangthong, in the southwestern province of Savannakhet in  Laos have announced that Christians must renounce their faith or be expelled from the province. According to a release published by Catholic news agency Fides on September 25, the measure is responding to a growing number of conversions to Christianity in several villages.

The decision was announced to the public on September 21 at an official meeting of the civil authorities with the population of the village of Huay, attended by residents of a variety of religious affiliations. The Christians rejected this decision, claiming that the right to religious liberty is upheld by the Laotian constitution. According to Fides, they declared themselves ready to be exiled rather than deny their faith.

(Sources: kipa-apic.ch – Fides – DICI no. 282, 04/10/13)

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