When the Central Committee of Vietnam's Communist Party met this month, they promised to address, among other things, the issue of religion. According to a report received on January 28 from Compass Direct, the resolution reached was to better control religion which has caused significant concern, particularly for the Protestant Christian minorities in its Central Highlands region. According to Compass sources, a resolution was passed which calls for the establishment of cells of Communist Party members within the six approved religious organizations. This resolution has caused concerns within the approved organizations as well as those considered illegal. The Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) is officially recognized but has thus far avoided government control. There is fear that this new initiative will cause problems for the church leadership.
There is even greater concern for the church groups considered illegal by the government who have been subjected to serious discrimination and persecution. Since the government appears to be strengthening its control on religion, there is fear of increased persecution for groups such as the Protestant churches of the Montagnard and Hmong people. The government of Vietnam has called on members of the recognized religious groups to "volunteer" in the struggle "to foil hostile forces who abuse religious and ethnic minority issues to sabotage the great national unity and act against the political regime." This appears to be a direct call against the minorities in the Central Highlands who are strongly Protestant Christian.
On January 21, Human Rights Watch released a report outlining an intensifying crackdown on the Montagnard Christians of Vietnam. In the past year, over 400 churches have been closed in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, all Christian celebrations have been banned, and many Christians have been imprisoned and tortured. The crackdown is part of a concentrated effort to stamp out Evangelical Christian churches in the area. The report, including a list of 70 Montagnard prisoners, can be found at www.hrw.org/backgrounder/asia/vietnam/vietrights.pdf.
Continue to pray for Christians in Vietnam, as they face this increased government pressure. Pray that those churches legally recognized will stand firm in their faith, despite the government's latest initiative. Pray for the people of the Central Highlands who are continuing to face severe persecution. Pray that governments around the world will put increasing pressure on the Vietnamese government to respect the rights of their citizens.
Population
