Lao Officials Arrest Eight Christian Leaders

By

By Sarah Page

Police early this morning traveled to Boukham village in Laos’ Savannakhet Province to meet with officials about the arrest on Friday (Dec. 16) of eight Christian leaders who had gathered some 200 church members for a Christmas celebration, an advocacy group reported today.

Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF) reported that the leaders had secured permission for Friday’s event from Boukham’s village chief and invited him to attend. He stayed for the Christmas meal but left before the sermon began. After the sermon, at about 9 p.m., village security forces entered the building, isolated the eight leaders and marched them to the Boukham government headquarters, where they were detained without charge.

Four of the detainees were placed in handcuffs and wooden stocks, while the other four were left unrestrained. Family members were allowed to bring blankets and other provisions to the detainees but were given no explanation for their arrest, according to HRWLRF.

“While they were held without formal charges, it is quite clear that they were arrested for gathering people for worship,” an HRWLRF spokesman told Compass.

Bouthong sub-district police arrived on Saturday morning (Dec. 17) to investigate the incident and record the names of the detainees. Later that afternoon, the deputy chairman of the Savannakhet branch of the Lao Evangelical Church (LEC), the only Protestant group recognized by the government, came to plead for the detainees’ release, but his efforts proved fruitless.

The following day, LEC representatives managed to negotiate the release of one of the detainees held in stocks, who goes by the single name of Kingnamosorn, after paying a fine of 1 million kip (US$123) to the village chief. By comparison, the average monthly wage for an unskilled laborer in the province is close to US$40.

The content of this morning’s discussion between village leaders and the sub-district police remains unknown. When the police left the village, however, the chief ordered the other four unrestrained detainees to be placed in stocks as well, HRWLRF reported.

Wooden stocks are commonly used in Lao prisons and detention centers and are sometimes combined with exposure to red fire ants as a form of torture.

The arrests of the church leaders were confirmed by another source who preferred to go unnamed.

HRWLRF identified the eight by their single names, as is customary in Laos: Sompong, Ma and Kaithong – the only female detainee – all from Boukham village church; Oun from Dansai village church; Puphet from Donpalai village church; Wanta from Liansai village church; Kai from Nonsomboon village church and Kingmanosorn from Tongsamakee church in Savannakhet city.

It is customary for Lao Christians to hold Christmas celebrations before or after Dec. 25 in order to avoid drawing the attention of authorities.

Offending the Spirits

Yesterday (Dec. 18) the village chief told the detainees that they had violated “hiit,” or the traditional spirit cult of the village, by gathering for a Christian worship service. He then ordered them not to practice Christianity in Boukham for fear that the spirits would be offended, HRWLRF reported.

Under hiit, residents must worship and placate the spirits of the village to ensure the fertility of their fields and to ensure ongoing safety and prosperity for their families.

Many believe that the departure of a few people from this practice will bring distress for the entire village.

Boukham’s chief asked the detainees to admit their guilt and agree not to worship Christ in the village, but all seven refused, according to HRWLRF.

Since the district authorities have not publicly chastised village officials, “the case could get complicated, and the Christians will suffer in the process,” the HRWLRF’s spokesman said, adding that public advocacy was the best way to direct attention to their plight and perhaps secure their release.

Compass Direct News

Compass Direct News was a news service dedicated to providing exclusive news, penetrating reports, moving interviews and insightful analyses of situations and events facing Christians persecuted for their faith.

One thought on “Lao Officials Arrest Eight Christian Leaders

  • December 20, 2011 at 12:38 pm
    Permalink

    This is truly a shameful act and in disregard to the fundamental principles of the freedom to practice ones religion. Putting that aside, how stupid of governments to try and prevent their citizens to practice their religion. History being a witness has seen governments crash because of religion and persecution of members. The Roman Empire collapsed after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. May the Lord’s vengeance come over Laos and remove this oppressive government. Far too long South East Asian government has been persecuting Christians. What would you prefer a Christian who obeys God commandments for peace and harmony or some terrorist fundamentalist!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *