U.S. SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR JAHANGIR'S

UNCLAS STATE 118802 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM UNCHR SUBJECT: U.S. SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR JAHANGIR'S UPCOMING TRIP TO LAOS REF: CASSAYRE-IO/HR E-MAIL DATED 11/10/2009 AT 10:41 1.(U) This is an action request. Mission Geneva is requested to meet with UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Asma Jahangir (or her staff) in order to express U.S. support for her upcoming trip to Laos and convey our views on religious freedom in the country. Mission is also requested to present a copy of the State Department's 2009 religious freedom report on Laos (www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/index.htm). ¶2. (U) During a recent visit to Laos an officer from the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom (DRL/IRF) repeatedly praised the Government of Laos for extending an invitation to the Special Rapporteur. The invitation underscores the Government's willingness to engage on the issues of religious freedom and tolerance. The U.S. Government has enjoyed constructive engagement with the Lao Government on the issue for several years; both former Ambassadors at Large for International Religious Freedom visited the country. The U.S. Embassy maintains regular contact with religious leaders throughout the country and with government officials relevant to religion policy. Our latest views on governmental and societal respect for religious freedom in Laos are articulated in the recently published 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom. ¶3. (U) Key Lao religious freedom issues the Special Rapporteur should considering raising include: Decree 92, the principal legal instrument regulating religious practice in Laos, gives far too much discretion to government officials, and is not clear on which officials are empowered to make decisions on a wide range of matters, including registration of houses of worship. Many local and provincial officials are still unaware of Decree 92 and the freedoms it grants. More training is needed. The Government does not allow the Roman Catholic Church to maintain a resident bishop in the northern part of the country. The Methodist denomination has tried, unsuccessfully, to achieve official registration. The Lao Evangelical Church and the Seventh-day Adventists remain the only registered Protestant communities. Neighboring Vietnam has now registered or recognized several Protestant denominations. Even as an officially registered religious body, the Lao Evangelical Church faces obstacles when attempting to register its local congregations. Only about half of its congregations are registered. Unregistered congregations must meet "illegally" or in small groups in private homes. Most religious groups face obstacles in the areas of training clergy, importing and publishing religious texts, and traveling overseas for religious purposes. The review of Laos, human rights record under the Universal Periodic Review process will take place in May 2010. ¶4. (U) For further information on the situation of religious freedom in Laos, please contact Judd Birdsall in (DRL/IRF) at BirdsallJB@state.gov. End text. ¶5. (U) Department appreciates Missions' assistance. CLINTON