HRC60: Oral statement during adoption of UPR outcomes on Laos

Item 6: UPR Adoption, Laos

Speaker:Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr President,

CSW notes with regret that Laos did not receive any recommendations relating to the right to freedom of religion or belief during its fourth Universal Periodic Review.

During the previous UPR, Laos accepted a recommendation from the Solomon Islands to ‘review and amend Decree No. 315 to ensure that administrative procedures for religious groups are not arbitrary, vague and discriminatory, and to eliminate the wide latitude local officials have to discriminate against and persecute religious minorities’.

However, this recommendation was not implemented during the reporting period. Decree 315 continues to include ambiguous language instructing religious adherents to promote ‘the beautiful culture of the nation’, which creates a danger that converts to religions which are not considered part of the majority ‘culture of the nation’ may be accused of undermining ‘harmony’.

The decree also requires adherents to receive approval from the government for various religious activities, and for aspects of the internal management of religious groups.

The autonomous rule of rural areas and unchallenged powers of village chiefs also remains of concern.

Religious minorities, particularly Protestant Christians, in these areas continue to be subjected to arbitrary detention, forced eviction, confiscation of land and livestock, destruction of property, harassment and discrimination. Efforts by the government to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief are undermined by social hostility and weak rule of law at a local level.

In June 2024, Protestant Pastor Mum and five church congregants were extra-judicially arrested in Tahae village in Khammouane Province by their village chief. It is thought the group was arrested for hosting a small church service in the home of Pastor Mum, which was deemed ‘illegal’ as the church is not officially registered.

All six were subsequently held in Xaibouathong District prison for over a month without being charged or granted access to legal counsel.

CSW calls on Laos to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is fully protected in all relevant laws and regulations in accordance with international standards, and to improve the rule of law at the local level by training relevant authorities on human rights and combatting impunity for violations by both state and non-state actors.

Thank you.