Letter from representatives of Mennonite organizations closely connected to the Vietnamese church

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RESPONSE TO VIETNAMESE MENNONITE CHURCH LEADERS DETAINED

September 2004

Dear Friends:

Many of you have inquired about writing letters of appeal to Vietnamese authorities on behalf of the leaders of the Vietnam Mennonite Church who were arrested and detained. Most prominent among these leaders is Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, General Secretary of the Vietnam Mennonite Church. There are reports that authorities are working hard to bring Pastor Quang to trial as soon as possible. Others familiar with similar cases involving human rights issues believe that it may be some time before he is brought to trial. A court decision to prosecute would be followed by publication of the indictment and then the trial.

Based on other human rights cases, it is believed that the goal of the authorities will be to convict Quang of "possessing and distributing materials harmful to the State," based on the evidence he has compiled on numerous human rights infractions by State officials. This crime, if deemed to be in the severest category, carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Vietnamese authorities reportedly are concerned about the unprecedented amount of international attention the arrests of Quang and his fellow Mennonites have attracted.

Quang was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on 8th June 2004 and originally charged with "inciting others to interfere with officers doing their official duty". Five other leaders of the Vietnam Mennonite Church, Elder Nguyen Hieu Nghia, Evangelist Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach, Evangelist Nguyen Van Phuong and Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien are also held on related charges, some having been held since March 2, 2004. Details of their detentions are available here.

At the time of Quang's arrest, authorities seized all the documents and files belonging to the Vietnamese Mennonite Church. They also removed many files that Quang, a trained lawyer, and his colleagues had compiled which expose official corruption, religious liberty violations and other human rights abuses.

One month later there was a co-ordinated media assault on Quang’s person and character by the local and national newspapers, radio and TV. This slander was rejected by local and international bodies, including the Mennonite World Conference.

The arrest of several Mennonite leaders is interpreted by some as a government crackdown on the Vietnam Mennonite Church. In reality it must be understood more in terms of their advocacy for Christian groups and individuals suffering official harassment and persecution. In addition to Pastor Quang’s responsibilities with the Mennonite Church, he also served as legal counsel for the Vietnam Evangelical Fellowship, an association of many house church organizations. He carefully documented and disseminated reports of government harassment, beatings, and arrests of church leaders, and the destruction of church property. He was watched by secret police who had threatened persons close to him. It was the attempt of his associates to unmask and report these police that led to the incident that precipitated the arrests.

Some of you have asked to write to Vietnamese authorities on behalf of these detainees. Given the role the United States and its allies played in raining destruction on Vietnam a generation ago which continues to impact their people (ie., unexploded ordnance, Agent Orange, etc.), Americans must speak with a great deal of humility.

Editor’s note: Many Canadians have already responded to this situation. Our Vietnamese brothers and sisters in Canada and in Vietnam have expressed gratitude for this support. Find out more about how to continue your support here.