In Solidarity with the Montagnard Community of Vietnam
In the heart of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, the rhythm of life for the Montagnard people was shattered on the evening of July 20, 2024. Vietnamese police forces went into two villages, Thôn Tao Chor and Luh Ngǒ, and arrested five respected leaders of the Dao Blung Hlao Christian community.
The Montagnard community, a predominantly Christian ethnic minority group, has long faced harassment for their faith and their distinct cultural identity. The five men, Kuět Rmah, Chul Kpa, Y Duy Niê, Vòh Kpa, and Khlor Kpa, were taken into custody for the sole reason of their leadership within the church. Their crime? Refusing to bow to images of national heroes, a symbolic act of defiance against the government’s attempts to control religious expression and observances.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in Vietnam, particularly for the Montagnard people. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with deep, intimate ties to the Montagnard community through the Montagnard Congregation of Dao Blung Hlao in North Carolina, has been a vocal advocate for their rights.
In a recent report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council as part of the Universal Periodic Review for Vietnam, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ highlighted the persistent harassment faced by Montagnard Christians. The report details discrimination, intimidation, land and crop confiscation, along with disproportionate violent reprisals for those who publicly protest actions taken by the government.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) continues to stand in solidarity with the Montagnard people, calling for the immediate release of the five church leaders and urging the Vietnamese government to respect the fundamental human right to freedom of religion.
The plight of the Montagnard people is a testament to the enduring power of faith in the face of oppression. As Pastor Nglol Rahlan of Dao Blung Hlao eloquently stated, “Any pressure that can be put on the leadership of Vietnam to release these brothers in Christ without harm will be doing many families and whole communities a great service.” It is a call to action that echoes through the valleys of the Central Highlands and across the globe, a reminder that the fight for religious freedom continues.