No.19 - 05/2006
30 May 2006

Human Rights

Missionaries released by Wa

Reporter: Crusader

Panghsang, the Wa capital, have released all the remaining missionaries detained last month, according to sources in Tachilek.

Of the 38 people who were taken into custody way from Mongla to Panghsang (earlier reports say from Panghsang to Mongmai) on 18 April, 19 of them were released after a few days. The rest were freed on 22 May.

One of the survivors of the incident said they were accused of not informing Wa authorities in advance of their planned activities, contrary to official instructions issued earlier. "They told us a copy of the order was sent to the Baptist mission center in Lashio," said the source. "But those of us coming back from across the border did not learn about it until too late."

Other Christian denominations meanwhile have been able to run their affairs relatively freely, according to Wa and Lahu sources. "There has been no interference from the Wa leadership, as long as we provide prior information as to our plans," said one of them.

The source of Wa over sensitivity to Christian missionary groups, particularly Baptist, has been alluded to the US indictment of 8 Wa leaders on 24 January 2005.

Related report: (Christian evangelists detained by Wa, 11 May 2006)