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