The nine North Koreans, all aged 15 to 23, arrived in Laos around 10 May and were on their way to South Korea when they were caught by the Lao authorities. According to reports, the South Korean embassy in Vientiane requested that the refugees be transferred into their custody. However, on 27 May the embassy received the news that the group had been deported to China. On 29 May, a senior South Korean foreign ministry official said they judged that the refugees were repatriated to North Korea on 28 May.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) condemns Laos’ deportation of nine North Korean refugees to China from where they were forcibly repatriated to North Korea. CSW fears the refugees, whose number includes at least one child, could face detention, torture and even execution as “illegal defectors”.
The nine North Koreans, all aged 15 to 23, arrived in Laos around 10 May and were on their way to South Korea when they were caught by the Lao authorities. According to reports, the South Korean embassy in Vientiane requested that the refugees be transferred into their custody. However, on 27 May the embassy received the news that the group had been deported to China. On 29 May, a senior South Korean foreign ministry official said they judged that the refugees were repatriated to North Korea on 28 May.
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Three Lao Christian pastors arrested on 5 February on charges of “spreading the Christian religion”, related to reproducing a DVD of a Christian film, have been released from prison, with the last among them freed in mid-March. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) can now confirm that all three pastors have returned to their homes and families. Pastors Bounma, Somkaew and Bounmee were arrested on 5 February 2013 by the Phin District police in Savannakhet province after a police officer saw them copying and watching a DVD about the ‘End Times’ in a copy shop in Phin District market. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has learned that three Christian pastors in Laos have been arrested and detained for “spreading the Christian religion” by reproducing a DVD of a Christian film. Pastor Bounma of Alowmai Village Church, Pastor Somkaew of Kengsainoi Village Church and Pastor Bounmee of Savet Village Church, were arrested on 5 February 2013 by the Phin District police in Savannakhet province. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has written an open letter to President Choummaly Sayasone of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos urgently requesting information about the family of Mr Boontheong of Luang Namtha Province. Trinity Broadcasting Network, America's favorite faith-and-family channel, is highlighting the award-winning video documentary The Cross: The Arthur Blessitt Story, produced and directed by TBN Vice President of Administration Matt Crouch, as this month's stewardship and love gift for TBN viewers and partners.
On Christmas Day 1969, Arthur Blessitt, a simple street evangelist sharing the gospel on tough and gritty Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California, began a 3,000-mile hike from the West Coast to Washington, D.C, carrying a 12-foot, 45-pound rugged wooden cross on his back. His only focus was to share with all he met what that cross symbolized: the forgiveness, hope, and healing all can find through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has learned that four Christians arrested in Luang Namtha province in Laos in June this year have now been released.
In June, CSW reported that the four Christians had been arrested and had their personal belongings confiscated after being caught explaining the Bible to a Lao man in the home of a local Christian. |
Walter Blackwood
Associate Pastor with The Bridge Community of Faith in Kelowna BC Canada. Archives
May 2017
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