US eyes Laos religious freedoms

US eyes Laos religious freedoms

A government-backed American human rights body has criticised Laos for placing what it called severe violation of the freedom of religion.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom said the Communist authorities in Laos were extensively interfering with all groups, including the majority Buddhists, and that minority groups such as Christians or Bahais were subjected to imprisonment and forced renunciations.

The commission recommended that Laos should be placed on a list of countries of particular concern and only become eligible for US aid if it demonstrated commitment to change.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service