‘I think they targeted me because of my support for human rights activists like Nguyen Bac Truyen.’ – Cao Ha Truc, a member of the Catholic community of the Loc Hung Vegetable Garden in Ho Chi Minh City, which was devastated by the Vietnamese authorities in January 2019.

Vietnam has seen a significant deterioration in human rights in recent years. This has included a crackdown on freedom of expression, with restrictions on journalists, human rights defenders, environmental activists and others tightening.

On 21 January the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Vietnam, highlighting, among other issues, the restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the harsh treatment of human rights defenders in the country. Find out more at csw.org.uk/vietnam

Sunday 6 June

Today, pray for the release of activist and pastor Nguyen Trung Ton, and that of legal expert Nguyen Bac Truyen. In April 2018 they were charged with ‘carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the government’ and sentenced to 12 and 11 years in prison respectively.

Monday 7 June

Pray for the safety of Catholic activist Nguyen Van Hoa. Following a steel plant disaster in April 2016, Hoa helped those affected seek compensation, and filmed peaceful protests about the disaster. In November 2017 he was sentenced to seven years in prison and has faced harsh treatment by the prison guards.

Tuesday 8 June

Thank God that Pastor A Dao was released from prison last September; he was not expected to be released until August this year. Dao was arrested in 2016 after he returned from an international conference on religious freedom, and charged with ‘illegally taking people to Thailand’, a charge he denies.

Wednesday 9 June

Independent journalists continue to be regularly targeted, with many facing long jail sentences. Pray for the release of all those who seek the truth, and have risked their own safety and freedom to make the truth known to others.

Thursday 10 June

‘Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.’ (Ephesians 6:14) Pray this verse over all human rights defenders and journalists in Vietnam today.

Friday 11 June

Pray for the community of the Loc Hung Vegetable Garden in Ho Chi Minh City. In January 2019 thousands of residents were forcibly evicted and over 500 homes were destroyed. The community, which includes many Catholic families who’ve lived on the land for generations – are still waiting for justice to be served.

Saturday 12 June

Loving heavenly Father, we lift to you the nation of Vietnam today. Release all those unfairly imprisoned for their faith, and those who are in prison for defending other people’s rights. Give strength and courage to all those who ardently seek the truth. May justice prevail in this land, we pray. Amen.

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