Catholics and Protestant Christians threatened and beaten

This Information was received from Vietnam’s Central Highlands: This past December 2010, Degar Christians in Vietnam were once again prevented by force from celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. The Vietnamese communist government claims peaceful church gatherings such as Christmas celebrations are a threat to national security. In reality the Vietnam government seeks only to maintain authoritarian control over its population. The Vietnam government has resorted to issuing a decree to make it unlawful for worshipers to gather in groups and has placed security forces throughout Degar or Montagnard villages in the central highlands. Leading up to Christmas 2010 the security forces made sure Degar Christians were confined to their homes.