On Easter Saturday, peaceful demonstrations were held throughout Vietnam, protesting the government's treatment of the people from the central highlands, known as the Montagnards. It is reported that a number were killed when police began beating and shooting the demonstrators (click here for more details). Vietnamese authorities were concerned that many may flee to Cambodia as a result of the attack.
According to the Cambodia Daily, one hundred and sixty refugees fleeing the renewed violence have been arrested at the border and deported back to Vietnam. Associated Press (AP) reports that Cambodian villagers have been told by police to turn over any Vietnamese refugees. This is not the first time refugees have fled to Cambodia, only to be returned by Cambodian police who reportedly receive a cash bounty (click here for details). One Cambodian soldier told AP, "we just arrest and deport them back, but we don't know what happens to them". We heard the regular people would just be detained by Vietnam, but the leaders of the group would be executed."
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