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In early February, Vietnam's Prime Minister, Phan Van Khai, issued a document promising increased religious freedoms.  Doubts were raised by veteran observers; doubts confirmed by at least three raids in last three weeks on Vietnamese Churches.

Le Thi Phu Dung

On March 6, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Public Security and Politburo member, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Huong, met with U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, John Hanford.  The March 8 edition of the People's Police newspaper reported on the meetings saying, "The Deputy Minister emphasized that Vietnam has no 'religious prisoners' and Vietnam has never yet prosecuted or convicted a single person on the basis that they wanted to follow this religion or that."  According to the article, the Deputy Minister "strongly affirmed that there is no one who is serving time in any prison who is mistreated." 

Four days later, Vietnamese Mennonite Evangelist Nguyen Van Phuong wrote a report on his one year in prison, demonstrating the extent of the lies perpetuated by the Minister.  He recounts the physical and psychological torture he experienced when in prison for his faith in this translation of part of his report obtained by The Voice of the Martyrs:

Nguyen Van Phuong and his family

"When they interrogated me they used very offensive language in referring to me and to my God.  The interrogator named Nguyen Van Sang (nicknamed Sang Moi) used extremely offensive, filthy and slanderous language.  "Your God isn’t even as good as my prick."  And an interrogator named Tran Quang Hoang, spoke offensively about us. "You jerks are just plain thugs, not Evangelists or Pastors," and "I'll kick you in the face and bust your jaw right now."

"During the time I was in the District 2 prison getting food and drink was very difficult.  The packages that my family supplied for me were stolen by the gang members in my cell – clothing, food and everything.  They shaved my head bald.  I greatly missed my wife and baby son who had been born just over a month before I was arrested, as well as our friends and colleagues at church. 

"Four and a half months after my arrest I was transferred to the prison at 4 Phan Dang Luu, HCM City. Here I was not as badly beaten as I had been in District 2, but the police continued to interrogate me using pressure and threats and terrorized me. 

"Two and half months after going to the 4 Phan Dang Luu prison, I was transferred to Chi Hoa Prison. Here I was locked up with the worst of society – murderers, thieves and drug addicts, and my life became very complicated.  I was forced by gangs to do their laundry, and clean the cell.  Life was constantly full of fear and hardship.  I was given only one litre of water a day to drink and for all other personal uses.  

"On November 12, 2004, I and the others were escorted to the court in HCM City for a trial.  They said it would a fair trial and an open trial, but in truth it was not.  Only my mother and my wife were allowed to attend the trial and getting permission was very difficult for them.  At the trial, Judge Phan Ba asked me, "Why did you go to the site?" (of the 2/3/2004 incident).   I answered, "In my role as an evangelist, when something happens concerning our church, I must go to see for myself what is going on."  I told the Judge, "I am the one who is a victim of injustice.  I did not resist people doing their duty."  They could not pin a single fault on me.  The lawyer who was defending me cited Vietnamese laws to demonstrate they we were not guilty of resisting people doing official duty.  The lawyer requested the panel of judges who should have been familiar with the law, to judge us by the law.  But they paid no attention to this.  I myself explained about my family situation, working as just an ordinary labourer and with my wife recently having given birth to our first child, a son.  I asked them to consider these things in their verdict.

"After a short recess of 15 minutes, they came back with their verdict all neatly typed up, and read it before the court.  The sentences were: Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, 3 years; Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach, 2 years; Miss Le Thi Hong Lien and myself, one year each, even though Miss Lien was clearly not in her right mind; and brothers Nhan and Nghia, 9 months each.  After the trial they lead us out by a secret passage to keep the large number of Christians had come from many places from seeing us.  These people had wanted to attend the trial but were not allowed in and so could only stand out in the blazing hot sun.   They escorted me to a vehicle in which I and the others were taken back to the Chi Hoa Prison.  During the trip back I witnessed police hitting Miss Lien, a woman who had lost her mind.

"After the time in Chi Hoa Prison I was transferred to a province, to Bo La Prison.  Here I did forced labour in a cashew plantation from 6:00 Am to 2:00 PM every day.  If anyone lost a knife or any other piece of equipment, they were put into solitary confinement for three days with their feet shackled.  Food and drink was very expensive.  They would not allow families to send food in from the outside, but made us buy food in the prison.  Life in prison was extremely stressful, but in dependence on God, and the prayers of His people both in Vietnam and in the wider world. . . I found God to be the One who gave strength and perseverance to me during my prison sentence. 

"On March 3, 2005 my sentence was served in full and I was allowed to be reunited with my family, and with friends and colleagues in our church.  I will return to my service to God. 

"At present I am having difficulty in moving around as I am being watched by the security police.  My physical strength has not yet been restored. I have frequent headaches and a constant cough.  I have lost the work I did before to earn money and so am dependent on my parents-in-law.  These are some of my difficulties. 

"In all things I continue to trust in God, and I hold onto the Word of the Lord.  I believe the Lord had a good and high purpose for me, my wife and my son." 

Made by
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Nguyen Van Phuong
HCM City, Vietnam
12 March 2005

Le Thi Hong Lien

Continue to pray for those in prison for their faith.  Pray for a full recovery for Nguyen Van Phuong and others who suffered greatly under the hands of the Vietnamese authorities.  Pray that the international community will not be fooled by the empty promises of Vietnam's political leaders.

For more information on the terrible conditions facing Christians in Vietnam and to download an advocate's packet,click here.

According to VOM contacts, one of the "Mennonite Six" arrested in March 2004, was released on March 3, 2005.  Evangelist Nguyen Van Phuong appeared to be in fair health when he was met by his wife and one-year-old son.  He is the third to be released in recent months.  Two brothers, Nguyen Huu Nghia and Nguyen Thanh Nhan, were released in early December 2004.

Le Thi Hong Lien

Appeal hearings for the other two, Nguyen Hong Quang, general secretary of the Vietnam Mennonite Church, and Pham Ngoc Thach, have been postponed.  No hearing date has been announced.  On March 4, the wife of Nguyen Hong Quang and acting president of the Vietnam Mennonite Church, Le Thi Phu Dung, sent a letter to the Vietnamese president.  In her letter, she outlined the persecution facing the Mennonite Church in Vietnam and asked for fair treatment.  A translation of that letter is available on our website. 

Concerned readers are encouraged to contact government officials on behalf of these and other suffering Christians in Vietnam.  More details and contact information are available online (click here).

Continue to pray for those imprisoned for their faith in Vietnam.  Pray that appeals will be successful and that the Le Thi Phu Dung's letter will be favourably received.  Pray for safety for those advocating on behalf of Vietnamese Christians.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam,click here.  The April edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter will feature the arrest and plight of the "Mennonite Six."  Special web features including reports and video footage will be made available to newsletter subscribers.  To subscribe today, click here.

Dr. Nguyen Dan Que

Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly

On January 31, the government of Vietnam announced that 8,325 prisoners would be released before "Tet," the Lunar New Year holiday beginning February 9.  Among them are two outspoken advocates for religious freedom in Vietnam, Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, 58, and physician Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, 63.

Ly had angered the Vietnamese authorities in 2001 when he submitted a written testimony to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.  In this testimony, Ly urged the US to not ratify a trade agreement until Vietnam's communist government improved its human rights record.  Later that year, Ly was sentenced to fifteen years in prison (reduced in 2003 to ten years) as a result of his actions.

Que is a former Nobel Peace Prize nominee who has been in and out of prison for nearly 20 years.  His latest arrest came as a result of his 2003 Internet posting of articles critical of the government's repression of the media.

While the release of these prisoners is a reason to thank God, continue to pray for the many other Vietnamese Christians in prison for the faith.  Two Christian leaders were scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court today, appealing their sentence (click here for more details), but the hearing has been delayed.  Pray for their release, as well as steadfast faith to stand firm in the face of opposition.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam,click here.

Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang

Pray that these appeals will be successful and that the court will give these men a fair trial.  Pray for these Christians and others who remain in prison, regularly tortured for their faith.  We also encourage people from around the world to appeal to Vietnamese authorities on behalf of these Christians who are suffering for their faith.  A newly-updated "Advocates' Pack" is available (click here).  This material presents background as well as information on contacting Vietnamese authorities to express your concern.

For more information on the account of these Mennonite workers, as well as other incidents of persecution in Vietnam,click here.  Human Rights Watch and the World Evangelical Alliance have recently released reports on the suffering facing Vietnamese Christians. 

Photo Used by Permission

Since the November report, more information on her condition has come to light, including a report from her father.  Many of the details of Lien's abuse are extremely disturbing.  When Le Quang Du was able to visit his daughter on December 14, she had to be dragged into the room. She clung to him, weeping.  According to the prison authorities, she has suffered a complete mental breakdown and has to be bound hand and feet in order to control her.  She has lost control of her bodily functions and is beaten when she soils her clothing.  Despite Lien's condition, the authorities refuse to release her and continue to mistreat and abuse her.  She is denied any treatment.  Her condition is reportedly deteriorating and she needs help immediately.

Le Quang Du

To read a translation of Le Quang Du's report on his daughter, click here.

We urge people from around the world to intervene with the Vietnamese authorities, calling on them to release her so that she can have the treatment she so desperately requires.  Glenn Penner, Communications Director for Voice of the Martyrs, has written an editorial weblog appealing for your help in this case entitled, "Weep and Get Angry."  You can read it here.

Contact information is available below.  We also urge you to write the Vietnamese embassies in your local country.  Contact information is available through our website.

His Excellency Phan Van Khai
Office of the Prime Minister
Hoang Hoa Tham
Ha Noi
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

President Tran Duc Luong
Office of the President
35 Ngo Quyen
Ha Noi
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Phone Number for Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi:
+844-845-8201
+844-845-9205

Fax numbers for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi:
+ 844-199-2682
+ 844-823-4137

Please mark your appeals: "For the attention of President Tran Duc Luong" or "For the attention of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai"

Contact your operator if necessary for the international prefix needed in your country.  In North America, add 011 before international phone numbers.  Other contact information is available on an Advocate's Pack that you can download (click here).

For more information on the terrible situation facing Christians in Vietnam,click here.

 Since their arrest in March 2004, The Voice of the Martyrs has been following the account of six Mennonites arrested by the Vietnamese government.  We are now able to release the news that two were freed from prison in early December.  Translations of their eye-witness accounts of the torture and suffering in prison are available online (click here).

In November, the two brothers, Nguyen Huu Nghia (24) and Nguyen Thanh Nhan (22) were sentenced to nine months in prison, most of which they had already served.  While in prison awaiting their trial, the brothers recount the torture they suffered, resulting in permanent damage to their nervous systems.  Nhan said, "And now, as I return to life I must carry a withered body.  My left leg is partly paralysed and I can stand and walk only with difficulty.  My nervous system is badly damaged as it was assaulted by clubs and switches and it will take a very long time to heal."  According to Nghia, "The doctor says my heart arteries have been affected and my nervous system is disturbed and that these conditions are potentially life threatening."  Both end their reports with a testimony to the grace and strengthening hand of God, who will enable them to continue serving Him.

Pray for healing for these two young men.  Pray for those still suffering in prison, that they will be released and that they will find the emotional and physical strength to endure their sufferings for the name of Christ.

For more information on persecution facing Christians in Vietnam, as well as more background on the arrests of these six servants of God,click here.

Last week we reported on the harsh sentencing of six Mennonite workers, unjustly convicted of "resisting officers of the law while doing their duty" (click here for details).  During the trial, it became apparent that Le Thi Hong Lien, the only woman charged, was facing serious health concerns. Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang, the general secretary for the Mennonite Church of Vietnam asked the court for a medical examination for her, but the judge refused.  When Lien's family attempted to visit her three days after the sentencing, they were told that she was in the infirmary.  She was then transferred to a hospital, suffering from "a mental disease."  The family reports that, while in prison, Lien was subjected to serious abuse and beatings. 

Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang

The Voice of the Martyrs urges the international community to continue to protest these unjust sentences and physical abuse to government officials, both domestically and in Vietnam .  To download an advocacy package, click here.  For help in knowing how to write to governments, click here.

For more information on persecution of Christians in Vietnam ,click here.

On November 12, after a four-hour trial, six Mennonite workers were convicted of "resisting officers of the law while doing their duty" and sentenced to prison.  Pastor Quang, the general secretary of the Mennonite Church in Vietnam and a human rights activist, received a three-year sentence.  The other five workers received sentences ranging from nine months to two years in prison.  Apart from seven family members, all observers, including a representative from the Canadian Consulate, were refused entry into the courthouse.

Human rights and religious liberty organizations from around the world have been monitoring this case, but the Vietnamese government has refused to yield to international pressure.

Pray for those serving these unjust sentences:  Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang, Pham Ngoc Thach, Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Le Thi Hong Lien and Nguyen Hieu Nghia.  Pray for their families and fellow Christians, as they suffer together with their loved ones.

If you would like to write to Pastor Quang or his family, you can send a letter to his home, addressed to his wife, at the following address:

Ba Le Thi Phu Dung
C5/1H Tran Nao, Khu Pho 1
Phuong Binn Khanh, Quan 2
TP Ho Chi Minh
VIETNAM

We would also encourage you to write to Vietnamese authorities on behalf of these prisoners.  You can download an advocacy pack from our website (click here).

For more information on persecution facing Christians in Vietnam ,click here.

According to a November 2 report from Compass Direct, prominent Mennonite church leader and human rights activist, Nguyen Hong Quang, has been scheduled for trial on November 12. Quang was arrested on June 8 on the charge of "inciting others to resist officers of the law doing their duty." A long-time Vietnam watcher told Compass Direct, "Western governments, human rights and religious liberty organizations will be watching the Quang case closely to see if Vietnam will observe its own laws regarding a defendant's basic rights to self-defense and legal help. The initial signs are not good."

Pray for the legal preparation in the coming days. Pray that the truth of Pastor Quang's innocence will come out in the trial. The Voice of the Martyrs urges Christians from around the world to advocate on behalf of Pastor Quang. You can download an advocacy package in PDF format (click here).

For more information on Rev. Quang and the persecution facing other Christians in Vietnam,click here.

While in custody, Mai was questioned about his activities abroad, his involvement in literature distribution during the South East Asian Games in Ho Chi Minh City in December 2003, as well as his connection with Rev. Bui Van Ba and Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang.

Mai is an active participant in the Vietnam Evangelical Fellowship, which had called for three days of prayer and fasting for the Church in Vietnam on September 5-7. It was during that time of prayer that Mai was permitted to return home. There is no indication yet if charges will be laid against him.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, together with partners including The Voice of the Martyrs, has published an Advocate Pack with information and addresses, calling on Christians to intervene for their brothers and sisters in Vietnam. The document can be obtained from our website (click here).

Eight days after being arrested, Rev. Tran Mai was allowed to return to his home but ordered to appear at the Ministry of Public Security for questioning the next morning.

Please pray for Rev. Mai, as well as the many Christians in Vietnam facing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. The next three days of prayer and fasting for the Church in Vietnam are scheduled for October 3-5. We urge believers around the world to plan to participate.

For more information on persecution of the Church in Vietnam,click here.