Laos: Six Christians Released After a Month in Detention Without Charge
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Officials in Laos are continuing to harass Christians by arresting them and then imprisoning them without charge for several weeks before releasing them. Amid intensifying persecution of Christians, the communist-led Buddhist-majority nation now ranks 21 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
The six Christians were arrested by leaders of their Tahae village in Khammouane Province, Laos, on 22 June, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. They were released from prison without charge on 25 July.
The six Christians, including Pastor Mum, had been imprisoned for over a month in Xaibouathong district prison, CSW reports. It is believed they were arrested for participating in a small worship service in Pastor Mum’s home: the gathering was deemed “illegal” as the “church” was not registered.
CSW Founder President Mervyn Thomas said in a statement: “CSW welcomes the release of these six Christians who should never have been imprisoned in the first place. We call on authorities in Khammouane Province, and specifically on the chief of Tahae village, to ensure that their freedom is respected and that freedom of religion or belief is upheld for all Lao citizens.”
In a website statement about the situation facing Christians in Laos, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy organization reports: “Communist authorities heavily monitor religious activities in some parts of the country… It’s estimated that 75% of all registered Lao Evangelical church congregations must worship in homes, which authorities consider illegal since worship gatherings are only allowed in approved religious buildings. Many unregistered house churches gather under the umbrella of a national registered church.”
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