In Laos, Communist authorities heavily monitor all religious activities, even those of registered churches. All gatherings must be reported to the administration, forcing house churches to operate secretly as they are deemed ‘illegal gatherings’. About 75 per cent of government-approved Lao Evangelical Church (LEC) congregations lack permanent structures and hold services in homes.  

Converts to Christianity face severe rights violations. They are seen as outsiders to the Buddhist-animist community and face pressure and violence from their families and the local authorities. In rural areas, families often consist of three generations under one roof, intensifying the pressure. Local authorities and religious leaders may incite the community against converts, leading to their expulsion from their villages.