Release International

Release International has just completed a half-hour documentary exposing the torture and abuse of Christians in Vietnam and Laos – two of the last remaining communist nations.

The documentary is released as news breaks that police officials in Laos are evicting Christians from villages in Borikhamxay province and forcing them to relocate elsewhere at their own expense. News agency Compass Direct says some Christians have been driven from their homes twice.

In another incident, police called a meeting of villagers, then pulled down their village church while they were at the meeting. [For more information follow the link below.]

UK-based Release International and Voice of the Martyrs Australia serve persecuted Christians world-wide. Investigators spoke to Christians who have been imprisoned without trial and tortured to try to make them renounce their faith. The abuse they have endured is methodical, brutal, and almost medieval.

The half-hour documentary, called Enemies of the State? has been produced by award-winning film-maker Andrew Boyd. He says:  ‘What these Christians went through is harrowing – but the resilience of their faith is uplifting and astounding. Former prisoners tell their stories, along with wives whose husbands remain behind bars.

‘We hope this film will move viewers to compassion to help Release International support the Christians of Laos and Vietnam.’

‘Abigail’s’ husband – a pastor – was murdered for his faith. She is continuing his Christian work. She says if she could catch up with her husband’s killer – she would tell him she forgives him.

‘The reason I believe my husband was killed’, says Abigail, ‘was because he served God. But I would tell [his killer] I love him, because God loves him too and God will forgive him.’

Vietnam and Laos are forever linked with war against the USA in the 60s. Some Christians sided with America in that conflict. A generation later many Christians are still treated with suspicion – and often brutality by the authorities.  Some are regarded as enemies of the state.

They tell their stories in this new film, which covers North and South Vietnam and neighbouring Laos. Here are some extracts:

'Silas', South Vietnam: Before I came to the prison I was very strong. But they beat me at all the pressure points over my whole body to make me weak. They said: “You will die slowly.”’

‘Esther’, South Vietnam, whose husband was beaten almost to death: ‘They used a big wooden club, with two big nails in it, to beat up my husband until he passed out. Then afterwards they tied my husband with a rope to a Jeep and dragged him behind along the road.’

‘Timothy’, Laos: ‘They asked me to sign a piece of paper that said that I would not be a Christian because Christians are not good or not right for the Lao people. I didn't sign it because of my faith.’

‘Samuel’ North Vietnam: ‘I said to them even if you nail me to the cross like Jesus, I will still not deny him. You can do to me exactly like Jesus Christ, and I will still be happy.’

‘Saul’, North Vietnam: ‘The worst thing about prison was always starving, always wanting to eat something. They asked me to break rocks. But because I couldn’t do it fast enough they beat me.

‘But I never denied Jesus. Never. If I have the Lord Jesus Christ, even if I die, I will still be happy. I just trust in the Lord. He never, never leaves me. Each day while I can still breathe the air, I will trust in the Lord.’

‘Deborah’, South Vietnam, whose husband is in jail: ‘I am thankful to God because the reason I am still alive today is because he helped me go through these difficult times. He's always been with me, I can walk in love, his strength and protection.

‘I know that we have one family, we have one shepherd. We are in the same body in the Lord and the Lord is taking care. He knows, and he is sending many brothers and sisters to help in all this time of need.’

John Wilson, Exec. Director, Voice of the Martyrs, Australia:  ‘We've heard stories from believers that have come out of prison, men so desperate and hungry they have eaten frogs to keep alive, and yet we see a tremendous hope in their eyes - a hope because of their Christ, their risen Lord.’

Enemies of the State? runs for half an hour and is followed by the video reflection ‘On Anger and Emmanuel’ for use in church groups. The DVD is available from Release International on 01689 823491, or from the website: www.releaseinternational.org

Through its international network of missions Release supports Christians imprisoned for their faith and their families in 30 nations. It supports church workers, pastors and their families, and provides training, Bibles, Christian literature and broadcasts. Release is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections, the Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network.

ENDS

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

Please email for a selection of stills from the programme, or for extracts to broadcast on radio or TV.

For a country profile on Vietnam, please go to: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/vietnam.php

For a country profile on Laos, please go to:
http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/laos.php

For more on the story of forced relocations in Laos go to:
http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&lang=en&length=long&idelement=5859&backpage=archives&critere=Laos&countryname=&rowcur=0

For further information please contact Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org

And for more information on Release International please go to: www.releaseinternational.org

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