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Five Christians arrested by officials in Laos

The situation for Christians in Laos is still very fragile. The authorities are cracking down on house churches that do not belong to the approved church.

By the editorial team

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In a village in southern Laos, five Christians were arrested and detained by officials during a church service on Sunday, March 25. They were accused of leading a religious movement without official permission, according to Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF).

The five Christians from the Palansai district attended a church service in the nearby village of Boukham. They are three women: Alee from Phosai village, Poon from Pone village, Narm from Natoo village, and two men: Phosee and Viengsai, both from Phosai village. They have previously attended several church services in Boukham without interference from the authorities. The members of the church in Boukham meet in a private home like most other Christians in other villages.

Authorities are strongly opposed to small groups meeting outside Laos' government-approved evangelical church, but many Christians prefer to meet in house churches due to the strict controls on the activities of the approved church. "This is normal for Laos now," a pastor from the capital Vientiane told Compass Direct News on condition of anonymity. "In Vientiane, we can see that things are starting to loosen up a bit. But the law is fluid. Circumstances can change from day to day and the situation is still very difficult in the different provinces."

Source: Compass Direct News