Vietnam: Laotian and Vietnamese Forces Search for Christians Fleeing Vietnam
Aug 21 2007
Postings >> Vietnam

Joint Vietnamese and Laotian forces have been scouring north-west Laos for Christian refugees fleeing persecution in Vietnam -- and shooting them on sight.

At least 13 ethnic minority Hmong people are reported to have been killed in Laos in July.

Compass Direct reports that a further 200 Hmong members of a large evangelical church in Bokeo province have been arrested and imprisoned -- including women and children. Up to 10 of those reported killed were apparently members of this church.

Many local Hmong are now in hiding -- but are desperately short of food. Villages are under tight police control and Christians are currently banned from meeting for worship. The Laos authorities claim to be trying to root out 'separatist rebels' suspected of plotting against the government and supporting the Hmong dissident General Vang Pao, who is in exile in the US. Compass sources report that the authorities wrongly accuse churches of being funded by Vang Pao and of training members to fight the government.

7x7 has often reported that ethnic minorities such as the Hmong are hard-pressed by the authorities in Vietnam, which is why so many flee to neighbouring countries such as Laos. The Vietnamese authorities have been hostile to the Hmong people since they helped US forces during the Vietnam War. Christianity is associated with a pro-Western bias. General Vang Pao was arrested in California in June over an alleged plot to topple Laos' communist regime.

• Pray that the Hmong Christians arrested in this recent crackdown in Bokeo province, Laos, will soon be released.
• Pray that the authorities in Laos and Vietnam would act justly towards Vietnam's ethnic minorities, whose faith is wrongly confused with a political bias.