On 22 August of 2010 the Vietnamese government launched a large scale of military operations involving thousands of armed soldiers, riot police, security police and local police to participate what they called “tieu quet” which means (wipe out) Degar Christians who do not join the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (ECVN).
During this “Wipe out Operation” they have arrested and tortured many Degar Christians and sent to prison around 24 Degar Christians. But now, 9 of them have been kept in prison and the rest of them have been released. The names of 9 Degar Christian prisoners are as follows:
Mr. Siu Brom who was born in 1967 from the village of Ploi Ngol Grong, commune of Ia Kriel, district of Duc Co in the province of Gia Lai. He was arrested and sent to prison on August 24, 2010 and his whereabouts is unknown.
Mr. Rmah Pro who was born in 1964 from the village of Ploi Khop, commune of Ia Kriel, district of Duc Co in the province of Gia Lai. He was arrested and sent to prison on August 25, 2010 and his whereabouts is unknown.
Mr. Kpa Sin who was born in 1959 from the village of Ploi Do, commune of Cu A, city of Ploi Ku in the province of Gia Lai. He was arrested and sent to prison on August 25, 2010 and his whereabouts in unknown.
Mr. Siu Hlom who was born in 1967 from the village of Ploi Kuao, commune of Ia Bang, district of Cu Prong in the province of Gia Lai. He was arrested and sent to prison on August 28, 2010 and his whereabouts in unknown.
Mr. Puih Neo who was born in 1955 from the village of Ploi Do, commune of Cu A, city of Ploi Ku in the province of Gia Lai. He was arrested and sent to prison on August 27, 2010 and his whereabouts in unknown.
Mr. Rahlan Do who was born in 1945 from the village of Ploi Bui Ngo, commune of Binh Giao, district of Cu Prong in the province of Gia Lai. He was arrested and sent to prison on August 24, 2010 and his whereabouts is unknown.
Mr. Rahlan Mlih who was born in 1969 from the village of Ploi Phun, commune of Ia Bang, district of Cu Prong in the province of Gia Lai. The date of being arrested and sent to prison is unknown and also is his whereabouts.
Mr. Rahlan Blom who was born in 1977 from the village of Ploi Kuao, commune of Binh Giao, district of Cu Prong in the province of Gia Lai. He was arrested and sent to prison on August 28, 2010 and his whereabouts is unknown.
Mr. Rmah Hit who was born in 1949 from the village of Ploi Bui Hle, commune of Binh Giao, district of Cu Prong in the province of Gia Lai. He was arrested and sent to prison on August 24, 2010 and his whereabouts is unknown.
On behalf of the Montagnard Foundation Staff and the people inside the Central Highlands, I first wholeheartedly ask all of the Christians around the world to pray for the safety and the release of these Degar Christians. And second, I humbly appeal to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, especially the Assistant Secretary-General, HE Ivan Simonovic to use his power and do something for the release of our Christian Brothers whose names have been listed above without harm. And finally, I would like to appeal to the Office of the European Commissioner and the Secretary of State, HE Hilary Clinton, to do something with their power to stop Vietnam government from persecuting the Degar Christians in the Central Highlands.
In addition, I also would like to appeal for the release of Ms. Puih H’Bat and all of Degar prisoners who have been arrested since 2001.
Thank you and God Bless
The Montagnard Foundation reiterates clearly that our goal is to peacefully co-exist in Vietnam as equal citizens with our human rights, religious rights and land rights being fully respected and protected.
