|
VIETNAM: Montagnard Christians Tortured
|
John Henry
|
May 22, 2007 12:22 PDT
|
Vietnam Detains And "Tortures" Four
Montagnard Christians, Group SaysMay 15, 2007 6:43
AM
By BosNewsLife News Center
HANOI, VIETNAM (BosNewsLife) -- Four Degar Montagnard Christians remained
imprisoned in Vietnam's Central Highlands Tuesday, May 15, after they
were arrested for collecting names for a statement which denies the
growing house church movement of Degar Montagnards seeks independence
from Vietnam, fellow believers told BosNewsLife.
"As we know, the four are still in prison," 10 days after they
were arrested and allegedly tortured by local police, Scott Johnson, an
advisor to the advocacy group Montagnard Foundation Incorporated (MFI),
told BosNewsLife in a message.
Y-Kim Kbuor, 30, Y-Wan Nie, 35, Y-Bhuat Eban, 32, Y-Thil Eban, 29, all
from villages in Dak Lak province, were "arrested and tortured"
May 5, said MFI. "The security police imprisoned four of our
Christian brothers at the prison in Cu Mgar district [of] Daklak province
and severely tortured them," added MFI, which represents Degar
Montagnard Christians in Vietnam.
Police allegedly "used martial arts on them after hanging them
upside down and then beat them with their fists, kicked them with their
feet and electric shocked them until they became unconscious," MFI
explained. "The security police then pulled them down and poured
water on them. When the victims awoke the police repeated the torture
many times."
COLLECTING NAMES
Police were allegedly angry that the four Christians began collecting
names and signatures for a statement on behalf of pastors Christian
laymen and village representatives of Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
The statement, seen by BosNewsLife, says that while the Degar Montagnard
House Church wants to "practice Christianity without government
control or interference," its members "do not believe in
separatism or want to overthrow the Vietnamese government."
Members however "believe they have the right to conduct Christian
services, prayers and to sing hymns" in their own languages
"and do not want to be forced to pray or sing or preach in the
Vietnamese language."
The Degar Montagnard House Church members also "believe in one God
and one Savior – Jesus Christ - as described in the Holy Bible" the
statement explains. It also urges authorities to realize they
"believe in non-violence and that all citizens in Vietnam are equal
in the eyes of the Lord," and asks the international community for
support.
COMMUNIST AUTHORITIES
"For years the Communist authorities have been arresting and
torturing Degar Montagnards for being house Church Christians while
simultaneously accusing them of seeking independence and being
separatists," the MFI told BosNewsLife.
Church observers claim that the tensions already began in 1975 when the
North Vietnamese Communist regime took over the Central Highlands where
Degar Montagnards supported American forces. "All of our leaders and
people who had served with the US Army and South Vietnamese government
were arrested. Many were executed and others sent to prison," MFI
said.
In addition leaders as well as villagers, men, women and children were
sent to 're-education camps' described as prison camps used for forced
labor by the Communists to produce coffee, rubber plantations and other
crops.
"The Communist regime has always hated the Degar Montagnard people
because we are Christians and they have made ongoing accusations that
Christians are agents of the CIA and worship America. The regime has
claimed there is no such thing as God and have tried to control the
population by making us worship the Communist party," Degar
Montangard Christians said.
The Vietnamese government has denied human rights abuses and accused
organizations such as MFI of propaganda. Hundreds of Degar Montagnard
Christians are said to be imprisoned across Vietnam, and some of them
have died while in detention, human rights groups say. (With BosNewsLife
Research and reporting from Vietnam).
http://www.worthynews.com/christian/vietnam-detains-and-tortures-four-montagnard-christians-group-says/
-------------------------------
"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them
which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."
(Hebrews 13:3)
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall
revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great
is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you." (Matthew 5:10-12)
Fair Use Notice: This message contains copyrighted material the
use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright
owner. The moderator is making it available in an effort to advance
understanding scriptural, political, and social justice issues, etc. The
moderator believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of this
copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material is
distributed without profit to those who have by subscribing to this
eGroup have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and
educational purposes. It must not be used for profit!
The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the opinions of
the moderator.
TO UNSUBSCRIBE GO TO:
http://groups.LandmarkBibleBaptist.net
THIS MESSAGE IS ARCHIVED AT:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Persecution-Watch
|
|
 |
|
