In recent months, an alarming number of human rights defenders and religious leaders have been unjustly charged and imprisoned in Vietnam. At the same time, there’s been a marked increase in transnational repression, which means that the government is extending its oppression beyond the borders of Vietnam. For example, they are working to defame and intimidate human rights defenders who have fled Vietnam and are now living in Thailand and the United States.
Find out more at csw.org.uk/vietnam
Sunday 14 July
Pray for an end to the harassment of the Montagnard minority ethnic group, most of whom are Christians. On 22 January over 100 Montagnards were convicted on various terrorism-related charges, based on confessions which family members said were made under duress. Ten were sentenced to life imprisonment, while others received sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
Monday 15 July
Pray that the Lord would comfort the loved ones of Y Bum Bya, an evangelist from the Central Highlands Evangelical Church (ECCCH). Mr Bya was found dead on 8 March after he’d been summoned to a meeting with local police. Pray for an impartial investigation into his suspicious, brutal death.
Tuesday 16 July
Mr Bya’s death was no accident. It was clearly a targeted attack against a prominent member of the ECCCH, which the government has systematically sought to silence and oppress. Pray protection over other members of the church, and that the Vietnamese authorities would be held to account.
Wednesday 17 July
In March, five Khmer-Krom Buddhist monks were unjustly arrested, defrocked (removed from office) by government officials and charged with undermining national unity or promoting separatist sentiment under Article 331. . This violates the Theravada Buddhist tradition that a monk may only be defrocked by his immediate religious superior. Pray that the charges are dropped, and that the government would release the pressure on the Khmer-Krom community.
Thursday 18 July
In February, pupils at two ethnic boarding schools in Nam Nhun District, Dien Bien Province, were forced to sign a pledge that they would not attend Christian prayer services outside the school. No prayer services are permitted in school either. Pray that the pupils would be allowed to practise a faith of their choice.
Friday 19 July
Today, pray for the safety of those who have fled Vietnam to neighbouring countries. In recent months, Vietnamese security police have increasingly targeted Hmong and Montagnard Christians who have fled to Thailand to seek asylum.
Saturday 20 July
Lord, today we lift up to you the nation of Vietnam. Bring peace and justice to all the peoples of this land, especially the religious and ethnic minorities facing increased repression. Lord, soften the hearts of the authorities, that they would grant all citizens the freedom to follow their conscience and faith of choice, without fear. Amen.