Christians Plead for Help in Southern Laos
Persecution increases despite humanitarian intervention.
by Sarah Page
BANGKOK, March 26 (Compass) -- Christians from the southern province of Attapeu in Laos have faced increasing persecution over the past few weeks. However, due to the pressure applied by international humanitarian organizations, persecution is now occurring at the village level, rather than provincial levels.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported in the first few days of March that it had received copies of letters from Christians in Attapeu province, pleading for help following a renewed wave of persecution.
One of the letters was signed by several Christians from Donthapad village, Sanamchai district. “I am being threatened, and therefore all of us are to be without our homes and without a way of making any living because we are constantly being persecuted all the time,” said the principle writer.
“Therefore, let the Lao Evangelical Church telephone the Lao central authorities to get them to come to our place to resolve the troubles. Ask them to solve the troubles in every village that has persecution.”
Christians in Donthapad village were called to a meeting with village officials on February 19. At that meeting, the Christian villagers were told, “If you do not give up your Christian faith, leave the village. If you do not give up your faith or leave the village, you will be punished by death.”
Compass has since confirmed through reliable sources that Christians called to this meeting and other meetings were ordered to pay fines of 150,000 kip ($14) per meeting, for “wasting the time” of village officials.
The Christians have struggled to pay these fines. Most villagers grow just enough rice and other crops to support their families. Few have surplus crops and very little income to spare.
One of the letters received by CSW continues, “They are threatening to destroy our homes and to burn our homes. We are not able to travel anywhere. We are kept in an area confinement … If we do not move from our village, they said they would kill us because the whole village agrees with them.”
Compass confirmed in early March that village officials eventually seized the livestock and homes of six Christian families in one of the affected villages. The families fled temporarily, but five of them have since recanted their faith in order to save their homes and livelihoods.
A Lao pastor told Compass that village officials in Sanamchai district have recently changed their methods. “Instead of burning the homes and killing livestock, they now keep them for the benefit of the village.”
Three pastors from central and southern Laos confirmed that the central government has also changed its tactics in recent months, in response to pressure from the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations.
Instead of working from central to provincial and district levels, the task of controlling Christianity is now left in the hands of village officials, with the tacit approval of the central government.
One Lao Christian said he knew of village officials in the south who had received certificates of approval from the central government for their part in the recent persecution of Christians.
Apparently some district officials are more sympathetic to the plight of Christians than others, causing wide variation in the treatment of Christian villagers.
As for the intervention of international organizations, “They are like scarecrows,” said one pastor. “After a while the birds see that the scarecrows cannot harm them, so they go back to eating the crops in the field.”
“If you really want to help us, you have to show your commitment. For example, if you want to write letters to the authorities, that is good. But you should also apply sanctions. Otherwise there is no hope for us.”
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