Oppression of Tribal Christians in Vietnam Continuing, Says Agency

Christian Aid reports that the oppressive circumstances of believers in remote tribal areas have remained the same, and in some instance grown worse.

By Kenneth Chan, Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Despite the passing of Vietnam’s new Ordinance on Religion in November purporting to grant religious freedom to all, mission agencies report that the oppressive circumstances of believers in remote tribal areas have remained the same, and in some instance grown worse.

In a recent report, Christian Aid—generally considered to be the first missionary agency to support and promote indigenous mission groups—reported that 179 believers in Vietnam are known to be in prison for their faith. Several have been released, a native ministry leader told Christian Aid, yet due to injuries they received while in captivity, two died shortly after returning home.

The native ministry leader added that of those still in prison, many have been rendered blind or paralyzed from repeated beatings.

“Hundreds of believers have been forced from their homes and villages, fired from jobs or arrested,” Christian Aid reported. “Families of imprisoned pastors, including children, must work all day in coffee or rice fields to survive.”

And even in their daily lives, tribal Christians experience the effects of discrimination because of their faith. “Children are kicked out of school just because their parents are Christians,” Christian Aid added. “In several areas, believers are prohibited from using water from public wells. They must gather polluted water from rivers or try to dig holes near shorelines to reach clean groundwater. “

Last year, the national government issued a new ordinance stating that “citizens have the right to freedom of religious belief and of having a religion, and freedom of non-belief and not having a religion." Yet the ordinance, which became effective Nov. 15, goes on to surround that “freedom” with so many conditions and requirements that some have questioned whether it really grants any true liberty.