Village officials in central Laos recently arrested a pastor and five other Christians as they prayed in preparation for worship services the next day, according to a rights watchdog.
Tahae village authorities arrested the church leader, identified only as Pastor Mum, and the other Christians in Tahae village in Khammouane Province, on June 22, according to Sirikoon Prasertsee, director of Human Rights Watcher for Lao Religious Freedom.
“The arrests took place on Saturday at Mr. Mum’s home while they were meeting for prayer in preparation for Sunday morning worship on the following day,” Prasertsee said. “They are currently being imprisoned in Xaibouathong District prison.”
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She identified the other five Lao Christians as Liang, a 40-year-old man; Pa, a 24-year-old man; Laen, a 50-year-old woman; Lan, a 23-year-old woman; and Khoon, a 28-year-old woman.
After Pastor Mum put his faith in Christ in 2019 upon experiencing God’s healing, he established a church that worshipped freely in his home until a new village chief, identified only as Lang, took office in May, she said.
“Others in Tahae village and nearby villages also have exercised their right to religious freedom to accept the Christian faith,” Prasertsee said. “The new main village chief was appointed to govern Tahae village, and the crackdown on Christian freedom and practices became severe that led to the arrest of Mr. Mum and five Lao believers.”
‘To believe or not to believe’
Village chief Lang made the arrests along with deputy village chief Khampune, deputy village chief Ang and three security officials identified only as Bounma, Jit and Kam, she said.
Article 30 of the Lao Constitution recognizes the right and freedom of Lao citizens “to believe or not to believe in religion,” she noted.
Laos ranked 21st on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Morning Star News.
