VIENTIANE, Laos - Laos has dismissed as biased a recent U.S. report that accuses its communist government of restricting religious freedom, especially for Christians, in this predominantly Buddhist Southeast Asian nation.
The allegations, contained in the U.S. State Department's annual report, "contradict the reality of religious freedom" in Laos, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement published Friday in the pro-government Vientiane Times newspaper.
The government "absolutely rejects the report," the ministry said.
It said "the report lacks reliable information and indicates a bias aimed at creating misunderstanding among the world population about the true situation. The fact is that the Lao people's lives are secured with rights."
The International Religious Freedom Report for 2002, submitted to the U.S. Congress on Oct. 7, carries comments about the status of religious freedom in 192 countries.
On Laos, it said that in spite of some limited improvements, religious freedom continues to be restricted.
The ruling communist party and the government inhibit "religious practice by all persons, especially those belonging to minority religions, particularly Christianity, that fall outside of the mainstream Buddhism," the report said.
It said government authorities have closed several dozen churches, but some churches that had been closed in recent years were allowed to reopen.
Many officials view Christianity in particular as creating societal divisions, it said, adding that 10 religious prisoners remain incarcerated. Nine others were freed in July, it said but gave no details.