The Vietnamese Government Halted Degar Christians From Celebrating Christmas

THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HALTED “SANG AE DIE DEGAR” (DEGAR CHURCH) CHRISTIANS FROM CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN 2010

Posted: 20 Jan, 2011
Source: Montagnard-Foundation

Catholics and Protestant Christians threatened and beaten, churches surrounded, religious items confiscated and nativity scenes destroyed

This Information was received from Vietnam’s Central Highlands: This past December 2010, Degar Christians in Vietnam were once again prevented by force from celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. The Vietnamese communist government claims peaceful church gatherings such as Christmas celebrations are a threat to national security. In reality the Vietnam government seeks only to maintain authoritarian control over its population. The Vietnam government has resorted to issuing a decree to make it unlawful for worshipers to gather in groups and has placed security forces throughout Degar or Montagnard villages in the central highlands. Leading up to Christmas 2010 the security forces made sure Degar Christians were confined to their homes.

Many incidences of abuses and threats were however, reported to us of government officials violating the right of citizens to freely engage in religious practice over the holidays. Security forces were seen destroying nativity scenes and other Christmas decorations to intimidate and stop religious celebrations. Those people who protested against the security forces were physically assaulted and threatened. Despite their efforts to convince the international community of their tolerance of freedom of religion Vietnam continues to do the opposite and repress religious groups. Some examples of religious persecution occurring during Christmas 2010 are as follows:

• On December 23, 2010, at the village of Buon Hamong K’tu, (commune Hamong, district Dak Ha in Kontum province) a group of Degar Catholics congregated for a Christmas service. Security forces commanded the villagers to return to their homes. One villager named A Nhang spoke up stating that they had the right to pray during Christmas. The security forces physically assaulted him, slapping him on his face and kicking him. Another villager named A Thao subsequently stated “We are here only to worship our Lord and not do anything to oppose the Government.” A security force, identified as Nguyen Van Niem, then struck A Thao in the back twice with a baton and responded by saying that he should not have spoken.
• On December 24, 2010 at the village of Buon Kret Krot, (commune of H’Ra, district of Mang Yang, Plei Ku city in Gia Lai province) security forces patrolling the village began destroying Christmas decorations and Nativity scenes that the local villagers had decorated. In addition, Security forces surrounded the village’s house-church keeping the villagers from conducting services inside.
• On December 24, 2010, at Buon Dak Kang village (commune of Dien Binh in Kontum province) security forces surrounded the house-church while confiscating religious items used to decorate the inside of the church. A villager name Y Dim had confronted them asking “why are you taking away our possessions, why have you done this, and why can’t we worship our Lord”. A security force identified as Nguyen Van Luong assaulted Y Dim forcefully pushing her down to the ground.
• In December 2010 at the village of Buon Dak Mot (commune of Xa Long, district of Ngok Hoi, kontum province) security forces banned Christmas celebrations and worship services for local Christians and confiscated all items related to the holiday and items resembling the villagers’ religion. Security forces publicly announced to the villagers they were allowed only to conduct worship service with their own households.

The Montagnard Foundation reports these incidences are just a small number of abuses that have been reported to us since the Christmas holidays. Furthermore these incidents clearly indicate the Vietnamese government is intolerant and particularly discriminatory towards Degar Christians. While claiming to respect freedom of religion to the international community in reality the Vietnamese authoritarian state has no intention of respecting human rights. It appears clear that Vietnam continues to defy the international community and fully intends on oppressing religious freedom. The Montagnard Foundation however, reiterates that we will continued to peacefully advocate on human rights abuses in Vietnam until the government respects internationally accepted norms of human rights and ceases persecution of the Degar people.