A new decree issued by the Laos Government last year is leaving Christians and churches vulnerable to prosecution, it was reported in July.
The vaguely-worded law requires ‘associations’ – a term which covers groups from clubs to non-profits – to meet stringent registration criteria.
Associations are also prohibited from a number of activities. They are not allowed ‘to support or carry out activities that threaten national security, social order … national, local and ethnic traditions’ and are also banned from anything which will ‘divide national, [or] local solidarity’.
