A Mexican protestant and his family have been persecuted for not converting to Catholicism, according to a leading Christian advocacy organisation.

Lauro Núñez Pérez, who lives with his family in La Chachalaca, has been arbitrarily imprisoned three times since July and his children have been denied access to education because he has refused to renounce his faith, says Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

Perez is currently confined to his home out of fear that leaving might result in more time in prison, according to Luis Herrera from Coordination of Christian Organisations.

An official investigation was launched on 9 July following complaints that the family had been barred from attending non-Catholic church services in a neighbouring village.

A member of local government gave a direct order to the village school director to bar Perez's children from enrolling in the new school year.

Despite the State Ombudsman informing and instructing the government to protect Perez and his family, the government has taken no action.

Local leaders have refused to change their exclusive policy of prohibiting any other religion apart from Catholicism in the village.

La Chachalaca has a history of serious religious freedom violations.

Last week several other villagers, who defended Perez's decision to profess his faith, were also imprisoned.

Herrera said that other members of the Ambassadors of Christ Evangelistic Ministry, Perez's church, have faced ongoing oppression due to their faith in the surrounding area.

CSW is concerned that, despite the findings of the investigation, the government has done nothing.

"It is unacceptable that in modern Mexico children can be banned from attending school because of the religious beliefs of their father or that people can be imprisoned because of their faith," said CEO Mervyn Thomas.