Lao Hmong Evicted after Converting to Christianity
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
VIENTIANE (Worthy News)– Six Hmong families who converted to Christianity were forced to leave their village after local authorities ordered them to renounce their faith, according to Barnabas Aid.
Refusing to revert to Laotian traditional animist beliefs, all six families were evicted from their homes in Ko Hai village in Khamkeut district to Hoi Keo near the town of Lak Sao.
Because of the forced relocation, the Christians lost their homes, farms and the few assets they had on hand. Although the district governor said he was unaware of the forced relocations, he promised to look into the matter.
Earlier this month, seven Hmong were arrested in north-western Laos after converting to Christianity. Five were released after agreeing to renounce their faith, but the two who refused were sent to a provincial prison.
Although the Lao constitution grants freedom of religion to its citizens, the Hmong daily endure persecution from its communist government because they were allied with America during the Vietnam War.