More than a week after they were detained, three pastors were still imprisoned for their involvement in house churches.
They are among five Christian leaders who were detained on September 11 in Phin district in Savannakhet province. The two have since been released, according to Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF), which is also providing legal assistance to them.
According to HRWLRF, the three pastors, Pastor Bounlert from Alowmai Church and the Christian group in Phin District, Pastor Adang from Kengsainoy Church and Pastor Onkaew from Kapang Church, are still handcuffed. In addition, Pastor Onkaew has reportedly had his feet shackled, a method that human rights defenders say is often used by police to torture prisoners.
Worrisome conditions
HRWLRF expresses concern over reports that police officers from the district have visited pastors' churches and questioned their wives. They have allegedly asked questions such as: "Who persuaded you to become a Christian?", "Why do you believe in Christianity?" and "Who from your church first became Christians?"
The police also asked: "Where does the church get money from?", "How much money was spent to build the church building?" and "What type of work does the pastor do on a daily basis?".
It was not immediately possible to get a comment from the police. Local authorities often justify their actions by saying they want to protect local traditions in communist Laos.
HRWLRF is concerned because "All three pastors are subject to physical suffering because of their Christian faith and because they have built houses of worship".
They also say that the detention comes at the worst possible time for Adang and Onkaew, who both suffer from serious illnesses and are suffering greatly as a result.
Family members have reportedly applied for permission from the authorities to have them treated at the provincial hospital in Savannakhet, but so far there has been no response to the applications.
Source: Ucanews
