Family members were recently allowed to visit some of the six Mennonite leaders arrested in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. On August 23, the mother of two of the men was allowed to visit for the first time since their arrest on March 2. According to an August 26 report from Compass Direct, her visit was cut short when one of the brothers described the beatings experienced by the other brother. The mother said that her son, Nguyen Thanh Nhan was in reasonably good spirits, but his older brother, Nguyen Huu Nghia, was in a very fragile emotional state. A leading human rights activist, Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang, has been allowed two visits by his wife since his arrest on June 8. While the rest have all been allowed at least one visit, the one woman of the six, Le Thi Hong Lien, has not been allowed visitors. Police explained to her family that she is "hard-headed and uncooperative."
Sources for Christian Solidarity Worldwide report that authorities are working hard to expedite the trial of Rev. Quang, which may begin in early September. The other five are expected to face relatively minor charges.
Vietnam has consistently oppressed Christians throughout the country, despite constitutional assurances of religious freedom. On June 18, the National Assembly Standing Committee adopted the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions which "sets out concrete details of citizens' freedom of belief and religion, and establishes a legal framework that helps keep activities relating to belief and religion open and staying within the bounds of the law." While the document initially appears to guarantee significant freedoms, it requires that religious freedom be in conformity with the state. For example, the freedom of religious beliefs and activities can be suspended if "they negatively affect the unity of the people or the nation's fine cultural traditions." This ordinance is due to come into effect on November 15.
Vietnamese church leaders are calling upon their congregations to devote three days each month (September 5-7, October 3-5 and November 7-9) to fast and pray:
- that the Almighty Lord would continue to protect and vindicate the Church (Acts. 5:38,39).
- that all believers in local areas would faithfully gather to worship the Lord and stand firm in all circumstances (Acts. 5:41-42).
- that all leaders of the churches, all leaders of small groups, all of the hosts of the families would have the wisdom and courage needed to lead the flock (Acts. 4:29-30).
- that as soon as possible, the government of all levels from the central to local throughout Vietnam will know God's Sovereignty so that they will withdraw the decree issued in 18-06-2004, that they would give up the prejudices towards the Church, and stop all forms of persecutions and hindrances to Church's activities (1Timothy 2:1-2; Proverbs 21:1).
We encourage you to join your brothers and sisters in Vietnam during these days for prayer and fasting. Continue to pray for physical and emotional strength for Pastor Quang and the others in prison for their faith in Vietnam. Pray that they will be released soon. Pray that the international community will continue to pressure the government of Vietnam to respect the rights of its citizens. We also urge you to write on behalf of Pastor Quang. Click here for government contact information.
For more information on persecution facing Christians in Vietnam, click here.
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