Vietnamese Refugees Trapped on Border

Christian Evangelism Banned in Cambodia

In a directive distributed on July 10, the Ministry of Cults and Religions in Cambodia banned Christian groups from door-to-door evangelism on the grounds that it "disrupts society." The directive also stated that the distribution of religious literature will be confined to church buildings, which can only be built if they receive ministry approval. Government officials said the ruling was aimed at reducing Christian evangelical influence throughout the largely Buddhist country amid allegations of believers using gifts to convert children.

Pray for the continued spread of the Gospel in Cambodia, despite government opposition. Pray that Cambodian Christians will echo Peter's sentiment and determine to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29).

Partially Built Church Destroyed by Cambodian Villagers

On Friday, April 28, a partially built church building in Boeng Krum Leu, 30km east of Phnom Penh, Cambodia was destroyed by approximately 300 local Buddhists. Che Saren, chief of the district, told the Associated Press that the Buddhists felt threatened by the visible presence of another religion. Chanting "Destroy the church," and "Long live Buddhism," the villagers tore down the building and burned the rubble. According to Ros Sithoeun, a local Christian, the police gave the villagers a lecture on the laws governing religious freedom and the two sides have come to a peaceful agreement. The Christians did not file complaints with the authorities nor demand restitution. There are currently twenty to thirty Christians in the village.

Pray that the Christians in Boeng Krum Leu will be able to continue worshipping the Lord without further opposition. Pray that the sacrificial attitude of these believers will draw others to Christ.

Vietnamese Refugees Trapped on Border

Vietnam and Cambodia map with the countries' flags

The Montagnard Foundation, an organization dedicated to assist and support the persecuted people from the hill country of Vietnam, has recently received information on over fifty refugees hiding in the jungles of the Vietnam/Cambodia border. According to their August 26 press release, the refugees, consisting of men, women and children, are sick, starving, and exhausted as they are being pursued by Cambodian authorities who would hand them over to the Vietnamese government for cash bounties (less than $100 Cdn/person). If returned to Vietnam, they face imprisonment, torture, and possibly death.

For several years, the Montagnard people, many of whom are Christians, have faced systematic and brutal persecution from the Vietnamese government, both for ethnic and religious reasons. In April 2003, Human Rights Watch stated that, "despite Hanoi's statements of concern for its ethnic minorities, Vietnam is clearly escalating its repression of the Montagnards."

Pray for protection for these people who are fleeing for their lives. Pray that the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will get involved soon to protect them. We encourage you to politely express your concerns to government and UN officials. For contact information, go to our website at https://www.vomcanada.com/links.htm.

Parliamentarian Calls For a Stop to Oppression

A member of Cambodia's parliament is calling for a stop to human rights violations against Montagnard refugees fleeing oppression in their native Vietnam. According to Missions Insider, Son Chhay appealed to the president, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, on July 2. He demanded that the Cambodian government, "answer, clarify, and stop immediately the activities that violate human rights by the Cambodian authorities because it is inhumane and violates the 1951 International Refugee Treaty, of which Cambodia is a signatory."

Thousands of Montagnards, many of them Christians, have fled across the border from Vietnam into Cambodia, only to be captured by the Cambodian authorities and returned to Vietnam where they face prison, torture and sometimes death. According to Chhay, the Vietnamese government has offered a bounty of one million Vietnamese dong ($90.50 CDN) for each Montagnard returned.

Pray that this call will be heeded and that the Cambodian government will cease this oppression against those fleeing persecution. We encourage you to lend your voice in keeping this issue in the forefront of the Cambodian government by contacting embassies in your country and the United Nations. Also encourage your local politicians to look into this issue and address it. Contact information can be found on our website at www.vomcanada.com/links.htm.

Cambodia