Voice of the Martyrs

Voice of the Martyrs News Release 19.03.03

Vietnam: Major Crackdown on Tribal Christians

VOM-Australia recently came into the possession of a letter sent out from Ho Chi Minh City on October 23, 2002, to all Vietnamese Evangelical Churches in Vietnam. The letter, written by Rev. Thai Phuoc Truong, the General Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Vietnamese Evangelical Church (South Vietnam), called upon the Church to pray for the severely persecuted province of Dak Lak.

The letter revealed that the Dak Lak province had 135,792 Raday tribal Christians in more than 412 churches, according to a census published by the church on October 1, 2002. In a major crackdown on tribal Christians, the Vietnamese authorities have closed the majority of these churches, leaving only 56 Raday churches.

The letter also revealed that the Vietnamese Evangelical Church had sent an appeal on October 23 to the National Religious Department and the Prime Minister, protesting the severe persecution. The result was more persecution from the provincial authorities, leading to the closure of more churches. Pastors have been harassed and some were arrested, and some had their homes confiscated and inhabited by police.

News received on February 28, 2003, reported that eight Raday pastors were arrested and a further seven Raday pastors disappeared. There are indications that the police are continuing to harass house church leaders.

Sample letter of Advocacy; Government addresses.

Dear (Sir/Madam) (Your Excellency)

I respectfully request your attention to the plight of Christians amongst the Raday tribal group in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It has been revealed that police have closed at least 356 tribal churches and have arrested at least eight church pastors. A further seven church pastors are r eportedly missing.

I appeal to your government to allow the free practice of religion by the Raday Christians, in accordance with Article 18 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. I also appeal to your government for the release of the eight arrested leaders, and I appeal for the safety and return of the seven leaders who are missing.

Thank you for your consideration of these matters. Yours sincerely Prime Minister Mr. Phan Van Khai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hanoi Vietnam

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 6 Timbarra Crescent O’Malley ACT 2606 Australia

Permanent Representative of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the United Nations 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 435 New York, N.Y. 10017 USA

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Rick Armour General Manager VOM-Australia E-mail Address: