Imprisoned Degar Montagnard Christian in Vietnam

Three years ago a Christian woman named Puih Hbat was arrested in Vietnam for the crime of conducting prayer services in her longhouse. Vietnam keeps her locked up and isolated. Shame on Hanoi and shame on the silence about her fate.

See video from her husband European Parliament Question concerning the fate of Puih Hbat: E-6313/08EN Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission (20.01.2009) The information provided by the Honourable Member concurs with that collected by the commission. Indeed, according to reports by the Montagnard Foundation, Puih H´Bat was arrested on 11 April 2008 in her home a few days after she had been leading prayer services for Christians in her house in Ploi Bang village, Ia Chia commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province. She has been detained since her arrest. She had refused to join the government-sanctioned Evangelical Church of Vietnam. According to other reliable sources contacted by the EU missions in Hanoi, Puih H´Bat was convicted of violating the law by "destruction of the unity of the people's solidarity". The accusation seems to refer to Article 87 of the Penal Code (in Chapter XI on "Crimes of infringing upon national security") on "Undermining national unity policy". According to these sources, Puih H´Bat has been sentenced to five years imprisonment in her home province. Representatives from the United States Embassy visited Puih H'Bat's home commune on 15 October 2008. Following their visit, they wrote to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ia Grai district to enquire about the whereabouts of Puih H´Bat. They are still waiting for a reply. www.montagnard-foundation.org

Scott Johnson——Bio and Archives

Scott Johnson is a lawyer, writer and human rights activist who has focused on issues in South East Asia.