Posted on 11/04/2013 4:54:43 PM PST by SoFloFreeper
Despite Community Protests, Vietnam Sentences Christians to Prison
ICC Note: As one of the five remaining Communist nations on earth, Vietnam continues to pursue a policy of tight control over the spread of religion, and especially Christianity. Only a few denominations are recognized as legal, and anyone that chooses to worship in their home or a church not a part of one of those denominations can be arrested and imprisoned. In this case, despite being a part of a recognized church, two Catholic parishioners were arrested for unclear reasons. Their arrest sparked protests which were brutally crushed by Vietnamese security forces. Last week, the two were sentenced to several months in prison.
10/31/2013 Vietnam (CSW) - Two Vietnamese Catholics, whose arrest sparked mass protests in My Yen parish, Nghe An Province last month, were sentenced to six and seven months’ imprisonment respectively on 23 October.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has been informed that their families were not allowed to attend the closed-door trial, which lasted around three hours.
Nguyen Van Hai and Ngo Van Khoi were arrested on 27 June and later charged with “disturbing public order”, following an incident that occurred on 22 May, when men believed to be plainclothes police officers stopped and searched Catholics visiting a shrine and attending Mass at a church in Nghi Phuong Commune. As the police officers did not show any identification, there was confusion among the crowd as to their identity, and some people reportedly believed them to be robbers.
It is unclear exactly why Nguyen Van Hai and Ngo Van Khoi were arrested: some sources say they were arguing with the plainclothes officers; others say they were simply being used as scapegoats for the unrest.
Members of the Catholic community and Bishop Paul Nguyen Thai Hop, the Bishop of Vinh, petitioned for their release. In response, the local district chief issued a paper promising that the two men would be released on 4 September. When this promise was not upheld, several hundred petitioners surrounded the District Office and the military arrived to dispel the crowd, armed with guns, batons, tear gas, and guard dogs. According to CSW’s sources inside the country, police and soldiers beat petitioners with electric batons smashed religious icons in the area. Between 21 and 40 people were injured.
Following the attacks, Bishop Paul Nguyen Thai Hop appealed for “international support and solidarity”.
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Of course, Vietnam has been bad for a long time...the recent events only highlight a continuing spiral.
America ought to take heed.
Sodomy practiced there? It's practiced everywhere in the world but most countries don't celebrate it. YUCK.
The Central Highlands of Vietnam, and Ha Long Bay in the North, are two of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth too. Guess which one I'd rather visit?
Hawaii doesn't have the world's second worst weather.
Hawaii doesn't have one of the world's most corrupt governments.
Hawaii's water is potable.
I could go on and on and on and on and on, but there ARE many, many, many reasons why Vietnam's highland and Ha Long Bay aren't on the "must see places to visit" list.
China has many beautiful spots too, as does Tibet.
Why would I go to those places when we have Hawaii, the Caribbean, Greek islands, Acapulco and so on?
I decided many years ago that I was TIRED of going to places where I needed SO MANY shots to prevent SO many diseases. Saudi Arabia required a POLIO booster!
NO THANKS. I'll go to places that are JUST AS BEAUTIFUL and where I don't have to worry about the water, food, public toilets, corrupt government and whatever else Vietnam has in store for its visitors.
Also, as beautiful as those places are, I am a Christian. I fared very well in the middle east. I wonder if I would fare so well in beautiful Vietnam.
Do we count as one of them yet?
Hawaii is also run by a “red”, Gov. Neal Abercrombie.
He had ties to many of Hawaii’s Communist Party leaders and activitists, possibly including Frank Marshall Davis, one of Obama’s “mentors”.
At least you can leave Hawaii without being shot, so far.
I loved Alaska, both times!
Switzerland was nice too.
There are a lot of commie/fascist leaners like Argentina, Venezuela and the US
I didn't know that about Hawaii. I paid my last visit to Hawaii last year...to Maui. It was nice when I was younger but I'm tired of it. Wonderful place, but it got old for me.
‘Guess one has to have been there. Though to be fair, not everyone who had would agree. Yet the people - especially in the South - love Americans. No shots needed. And to paint it as primitive is simply wrong.
Also headed for gay marriage.
Thanks SoFloFreeper.
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