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