HRP: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
IRF: Annual Reports to Congress on International Religious Freedom
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
IRF 2001
The Constitution provides for freedom
of religion; however, the Government restricts this right in practice.
Some government officials committed abuses of citizens' religious freedom.
HRP 2001
In previous years, followers of Islam and the Baha'i faith also have been
monitored and arrested, although there were no known cases of monitoring
and arrest of Muslims and Baha'i believers during the year.
HRP 1998-99
IRF 1999-2001
In more isolated cases, provincial authorities instructed their officials
to monitor and arrest persons who professed belief in Christianity, Islam,
or the Baha'i faith.
HRP 1998-2001
IRF 1999-2001
The enhanced status given to Buddhism in Luang Prabang--famed for its centuries-old
Buddhist tradition and numerous temples--apparently led some local officials
there to act more harshly toward minority religious sects, particularly
toward Christian and Baha'i, than in other areas of the country....
HRP 2000-01
Two mosques and two Baha'i centers operate openly in Vientiane municipality;
two other Baha'i centers are located in Vientiane province and Pakse.
HRP 1999
IRF 1999-2001
Local spiritual assemblies and the national spiritual assembly routinely
hold Baha'i 19-day feasts and celebrate all holy days. The national spiritual
assembly meets regularly and is free to send a delegation to the Universal
House of Justice in Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel....
HRP 1998
There remains a continuing suspicion on the part of authorities toward
some parts of the Lao religious community other than Buddhism, including
some Christian groups, in part because they do not share a similar high
degree of direction and incorporation into the government structure. Authorities
especially appear to suspect those religious groups that gain support from
foreign sources, aggressively proselytize among the poor or uneducated,
or give targeted assistance to converts. The Government permits major religious
festivals of all established congregations without hindrance. Two mosques
and a Baha'i center operate openly in Vientiane.
HRP 1996
There were also unconfirmed reports that Lao Christians were sometimes
barred from the Party or from government employment and that some rural
Lao were not allowed to convert to the Baha'i faith.
BAHÁ'Í COMMUNITY
IRF 1999-2001
The Baha'i Faith has more than 1,200 adherents and four centers: Two in
Vientiane municipality, one in Vientiane province, and one in Pakse.