Six released, Pastor still detained

Six Protestant Christians, who were arrested on 28 September in Savannakhet province after a religious meeting, were released from detention on 3 October. Pastor Sompong Supatto is still being held.

According to the non-profit advocacy organisation Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF), the group, aged between 18 and 60 years old and accompanied by a three year-old girl, were arrested by local authorities after they had met together for worship at Pastor Sompong Supatto’s home in Boukham village, Atsaphathong district. A week before, on 21 September, village officials told the Christians they were not allowed to gather for worship in Boukham village, despite the fact that Christians have been meeting there for worship for three to four years.

The Christians were then detained at Boukham village government headquarters. Although the rest of the group has been released, Pastor Sompong is still detained and continues to be held a position of restriction and torture, handcuffed with his legs in wooden stocks.

Research by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has found Savannakhet to be one of the worst provinces for violations against Protestant Christians in Laos, which include forced eviction, arrest and detention, disruption of religious meetings and services, forced participation in animist ceremonies, and threats.

CSW remains concerned for five Christians accused of the murder of a Christian convert in Savannakhet province in June this year, whose health is deteriorating in detention. Pastor Kaithong and four other Christians have been detained since 23 June despite having been found “not guilty” of any criminal offence by Savannakhet Office of Prosecutors. However, the authority to release the five detainees lies with the Atsaphangthong District Chief and no date has been set for their release.

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “CSW is deeply concerned for the health of Pastor Sompong Supatto, whose treatment amounts to torture. We call on the local authorities in Boukham village to release Pastor Supatto immediately and unconditionally, and to allow Christians to meet for worship in the village. We also call for the release of Pastor Kaithong and the four Christians detained with her, who have been cleared of all charges and whose health is deteriorating. We urge the central government to ensure that freedom of religion or belief is respected in all parts of the country and that local authorities comply with the law in accordance with Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Laos ratified in 2009.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.