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Vietnam

  • Pastor Continues to Languish in Mental Hospital

    Just as Le Thi Hong Lien is to be released from the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital, the plight of another Vietnamese prisoner of conscience who is in the same mental hospital has come to light. Rev. Than Van Truong of the Baptist General Conference of Vietnam, an unregistered church group, has been imprisoned since May 27, 2003, accused of "counterrevolutionary propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam."  On September 9, 2004, he was forcibly transferred for treatment for "hysteria and delirium" to the forensic medicine ward, in Center II of the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital.

    He recently sent an appeal to the UN Human Rights Commission saying that he fears for his life following his protests that he is not mentally ill and his petition to be returned to prison to fight the false charges against him.  After his protest and petition, Rev. Truong claims that his medication was changed to that which would be debilitating and potentially life threatening.

    Please remember Rev. Than Van Truong in your prayers as he languishes in the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital. Pray that he will remain safe from attempts to silence him.

    VOM's Prisoner Alert website offers an innovative way to write a letter of encouragement to Rev. Truong. Go to www.prisoneralert.com for more information. For more information on Vietnam and the persecution of Christians there,click here.
  • Le Thi Hong Lien to Be Released

    Compass Direct and Agence France-Presse (AFP) are reporting that Vietnamese officials have promised to release Le Thi Hong Lien two months early as part of an amnesty on April 30: the 30th anniversary of the fall of Saigon during the Vietnam War.  She will be one of six "political prisoners" released along with 7745 other prisoners.  This news comes from a European diplomat speaking to AFP.  The news was confirmed by an American diplomat.  Others to be released include Rev. Pham Ngoc Lien sentenced to 20 years in 1987 for "hostile propaganda" and four Montagnards sentenced in February 2004.

    Lien was one of six Mennonite church workers who were arrested in 2004 and sentenced for "resisting officers of the law while doing their duty."  In February 2005, Lien was transferred to the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital after suffering from a severe mental breakdown. Since that time there was been some recovery.  She has begun to speak again and is beginning to remember the severe torture she faced; including drug injections, severe beatings, food deprivation, verbal abuse and more.  She has begun to recognize her parents.  Her father reports that among the first words spoken to them were, "I am now in great suffering from the top of my head to the extremities of my body. Father, please pray for me.  I am very tired."  He wrote, "And so I comforted my daughter by praying to our Lord Jesus."

    Pray that there will be no delays in her release.  Pray for the long journey of recovery ahead:  physical, mental and spiritual.  Sources close to her have said, "Without God's help she will never be the same again."

    Continue to intervene on behalf of two other Mennonite workers still in prison: Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang and Pham Ngoc Thach.  The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada recently released a video news report about the Mennonite Six through their multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.  This video includes testimony from former prisoners and family members, such as the wife of Pastor Quang. 

    Concerned Christians are encouraged to write Vietnamese authorities.  An advocate's pack, along with more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam,is available through our website.
  • Appeals Denied

    After a hearing that lasted just over two hours on the morning of April 12, a superior court in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, upheld the prison sentences of Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach.

    Le Thi Phu Dung
    wife of Pastor Quang
    More than 200 people gathered outside the courthouse to silently pray and show their support for the prisoners of faith.  It was obvious, however, that Vietnamese authorities had little intention in seeing that the legal rights of the two men would be upheld, as the court proceedings violated Vietnam's own appeal regulations.  Bui Duc Truong, the lawyer who defended the Mennonite prisoners at their November 12, 2004 trial, was not allowed to participate in the appeal.  Their new attorney, Nguyen Van Dai, only learned of the appeal date on April 4, contrary to Vietnamese law which requires at least 15 days' notice be given before the court date.  The men's families had not been sent the legally required announcements and invitation to attend the appeal.  Pastor Quang's wife and Thach's father were allowed into the courthouse only after strong advocacy from their lawyer.  Neither Quang or Thach were allowed to speak in their own defense at the appeal.

    The prisoners are reported to be in good health and spirits. His lawyer said that Pastor Quang had told him: "I am content until I am released. I am a pastor. I have faith. God will take care of me."  Quang is reportedly ministering to fellow prisoners who are HIV-positive.

    Unless granted amnesty, Quang is scheduled to be released in June 2007.  Thach is to be released in March 2006.

    Pray for the continued ministry of Quang and Thach as they remain in prison because of their faith.  Pray for strength and an enduring peace for their families.  Pray for the continued ministry of the Church in Vietnam. 

    VOM Canada recently released a video news report about the Mennonite Six through their multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.  This video includes testimony from former prisoners and family members, such as the wife of Pastor Quang.  Registration is required, but membership is free.

    Concerned Christians are encouraged to write Vietnamese authorities.  An advocate's pack, along with more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, is availablethrough our website.
  • Prayer Requested for Rescheduled Appeal
    Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang
    Pham Ngoc Thach
    On February 2, the Vietnamese People's Supreme Court was scheduled to hear the appeal of  Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang and evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach: two Mennonite leaders sentenced to prison on false charges.  The courts unexpectedly cancelled the hearing without explanation.  According to a report from Compass Direct, their lawyers were informed last week that the hearing had been unexpectedly rescheduled for April 12.

    The Vietnam Mennonite Church has issued an urgent appeal for two days of prayer and fasting from 7:30 a.m. on April 11 to 5:00 p.m. on April 12 for "the serious problems of the church in Vietnam in general and for the Vietnam Mennonite Church in particular." 

    They ask that we would please remember:

    • To pray for the Lord to grant strength to the Rev Nguyen Hong Quang and the Mennonite evangelists still in prison.  Pray especially for Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien, a Mennonite church worker who is being held as a prisoner in dangerous circumstances in the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital.
    • To pray for all children of the Lord that they will remain strong in the faith in spite of persecution and will have freedom of spirit to worship the Lord in any circumstances.
    • To pray for the judges’ panel sitting at the appeal trail on April 12, 2005, that they will judge justly and release the Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang and the other imprisoned Mennonite evangelists, and also return all property seized from the Vietnam Mennonite Church.
    • To pray that the Lord will grant peace and protection to all Christian who come to attend the trial.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, as well as ways you can help,click here.
  • New Vietnam Video Released

    The Voice of the Martyrs, together with their British sister mission, Release International, is pleased to announce the release of a new video report on the "Mennonite Six" arrested in Vietnam.  This ten minute report, featuring first-person interviews with those imprisoned and family members, is available in the Video section of VOM's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.
  • Christian Prisoner Transferred to Mental Hospital
    Le Thi Hong Lien
    After concerted pressure on the Vietnamese government from within the country and internationally to provide adequate treatment for a Christian prisoner suffering from a mental breakdown, we are now able to report that Le Thi Hong Lien was transferred to the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital on February 28.  Ms. Lien still has not been officially transferred to the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital, though she has been there for a month.  She still has guards from the distant Tong Le Chan Prison.  Her parents still must use their Tong Le Chan Prison visitation papers to visit.

    Despite this move, her family remains concerned, as it appears that she is still not receiving the treatment that she needs.  According to a press release from the World Mennonite Conference, her father, Le Quang Du, visited her on March 12.  Lien's feet were swollen and her face was covered with a skin infection.  Writing the next day, he said, "… nothing has changed; her health situation is not improving, and her mental health is in no way restored…. It is irrational for them to say my daughter understands what is going on.  In reality, sitting opposite her, I finally came to realize that they do not have the ability to cure my daughter."  The Voice of the Martyrs has received a report from Le Quang Du's visits with his daughter last week in which he describes the inhuman treatment his daughter continues to face.  To read a translation of this report, click here.

    Lien's Father, Le Quang Du
    Lein was arrested on March 2, 2004 along with five other Christians.  In November she was sentenced to one year in prison.  While in custody, she was suffered unimaginable torture and abuse resulting in her mental breakdown.

    Pray for healing for Lien and strength for her family during this difficult time.  Pray that the authorities will release her, so that she can receive adequate treatment. 

    We encourage people around the world to intercede on behalf of Lien and other Christians imprisoned in Vietnam.  An "Advocate's Pack" has been prepared to provide information and addresses to assist you in intervening on their behalf.  This pack, along with more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, isavailable online.   The April 2005 edition of VOM's free monthly newsletter will feature the plight of Lien and the others arrested with her.  Subscribe today to receive this edition. Click here for more information.
  • Police Raids and Prisoner Reports Belie Promises of Religious Freedom

    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
    According to a March 10 report from Compass Direct, police raided the headquarters of the Mennonite Church of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on February 27. Nineteen worshippers were arrested and taken to the police station for questioning.  They were released early the next morning.  According to Radio Free Asia, police also broke up a gathering of the Tien Giang Province Baptist Church on March 6.  The morning of March 8 brought a second raid on the Mennonite headquarters, which is also the home of imprisoned pastor Nguyen Hong Quang.  Three women were asked to sign confessions, including Quang's wife, Le Thi Phu Dung.  The five men present at the time were taken to the police station for questioning and then released.

    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
    "I was held in the Binh Khanh ward police station until 11:00 PM the day after my arrest.  They then read an arrest warrant to me, handcuffed me and took me to District 2, HCM City. Here they forced me to strip off all my clothes.  Then they put me into a special cell of gang members.   I fasted from Tuesday until Sunday.  After nine days they moved me to another cell.  Then, for the next 30 days, I was moved from one cell to another.  Each time I was "greeted" by the cell’s other occupants.  They kicked me in the chest, and banged my head against a wall.  When it was stifling hot during the day, they would make me fan them.  And at night, when it was cold, they would force me to take a cold bath every five minutes.  They also forced me to wash their clothes and to clean the cell.  Often police would interrogate me all day long, including weekends.  They questioned me, terrorized me, prompted me, forced me and pressured me - trying to break my spirit and my physical health. 

    "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
    X
    Nguyen Van Phuong
    HCM City, Vietnam
    12 March 2005

    A doctor's exam on March 10 has indicated that Phuong is under "extreme psychological stress" and has a swollen bloody lump on his liver, along with malnutrition.  The doctor has ordered three months of complete rest.

    Le Thi Hong Lien
    There are also grave concerns being expressed for the health of Le Thi Hong Lien, according to the latest reports from her father.  One report that she has been transferred to the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital has yet to be confirmed.

    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.
  • Christian Prisoner Released

    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
    Concern continues for those still in prison. At last report, Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien was being held in Tong Le Chan prison in Binh Phuoc province.  She has suffered tremendous emotional and psychological torture.  In mid-February, her father Nguyen Quang Du was able to visit her and reported that her health is very bad.  Despite her severe mental condition, she is not due to be released from prison until June 2005.  The Voice of the Martyrs condemns the continued mistreatment of Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien and calls for her immediate release.

    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.
  • Prominent Dissidents to Be Released
    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.
  • Supreme Court to Hear Appeals
    Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang
    On November 12, six Mennonite evangelistic workers were sentenced to prison up to three years in prison for allegedly "resisting persons doing official duty."  Two of the six have been released and have given reports on the terrible conditions suffered by Christian prisoners in Vietnam (an English translation of their testimonies is available online).  Of the six, four have been denied an appeal, including 21-year-old Le Thi Hong Lien.  However, sources in Vietnam have reported that those with the longest sentences, Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang and evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach, will have their appeals heard by the People's Supreme Court in Ho Chi Minh City on February 2.

    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. 

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