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Still no word from missing Christian pastors in Laos

Voice of the Martyrs reports eight Khmu pastors from Udom Sai Province in Laos were arrested two weeks ago, reports MNN.

They were taken into custody entering Thailand to attend meetings. VOM sources say two groups of pastors were traveling to leadership conferences.

The first group made it over the Meekong with no problems. The second group of eight was followed by the Laos police. They were searched, and two of them had Bibles. Everything the pastors had with them was confiscated, including a cell phone.

According to VOM-Canada, the pastors have reportedly been taken back to Laos, although since the arrests, there has been no contact with them.

The country ranks 8th on the Open Doors World Watch List of the top 50 countries that are the world's worst persecutors of Christians.

The government has put extensive restrictions on all religious groups. Recently, though, the government has worked to improve their human rights record. There have been fewer arrests, and many of the churches that were previously closed have now been reopened. The church, however, is not yet free from persecution.

[03/31/2008]

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