Escalating Persecution of Montagnards in Vietnam

Montagnards Stand For Justice Report

March 30, 2026

By Hdok Phic Hdok

"We are living in fear," the members stated, calling for a "strong voice" to ensure their safety and dignity are upheld against baseless accusations. Credit: MSFJ

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Members of the Montagnards Stand for Justice (MSFJ) met today with Political Officer Eric Borgman of the U.S. Consulate General to present evidence of a systematic campaign of religious repression and "transnational repression" directed by Vietnamese authorities against the Montagnard community.

During the meeting, MSFJ leaders provided testimony regarding a recent wave of arrests in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and expressed grave concerns for the safety of refugees currently seeking asylum in Thailand.

Affirming a Peaceful Mission Amidst Defamation

Y Chuan Mlo, an MSFJ member based in Thailand, opened the discussion by firmly stating that MSFJ is a peaceful organization dedicated to human rights, religious freedom, and social justice. He explicitly denied any involvement in violent activities, including the events of June 2023, which the Vietnamese government has used as a pretext for crackdowns.

Mlo highlighted a coordinated defamation campaign by Vietnamese state media outlets—including ANTV and various local platforms—which have published false information naming him as the new head of MSFJ and linking him to past violence. He characterized these allegations as serious defamation that directly threatens the safety of several MSFJ members specifically named in these reports, including H’ Sarina Krong, Y Quynh Bdap, Y Pher Hdrue, Y Aron Eban, Y Bhiong Hdrue, Y Phuoc Nie, and H’ Tlun Bdap.

Crackdown on Independent Religious Practice

Y Pher Hdrue and other representatives detailed a severe escalation in religious persecution occurring as recently as March 2026. Following the formation of an independent house church (Sang Aê Diê Hưn Klei Mrâo Mrang Jăk) on March 9, Vietnamese authorities launched a series of raids.

Between March 18 and March 27, 2026, at least six religious leaders—including Pastor Y Nai Hwing and evangelists Y Toer Bkrông, Y Bhuar Bdap, Y Sitop Bkrông, Y Cih Niê, and Y Bliư Mlô—were summoned, harassed, or detained. According to the reports:

* Police demanded they cease all independent religious activities, including healing prayers and proselytizing.

* Authorities threatened the leaders with fines of 20 to 30 million VND or long-term imprisonment similar to the sentences given to activists like Y Quynh Bdap.

* Believers were pressured to join state-recognized religious organizations, such as the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South).

Further raids occurred between March 23 and March 25, 2026, in which individuals such as Y Wen Niê and Y Bây Êban were reportedly "kidnapped" from their homes and taken to the Drai Bhang commune police station for interrogation.

Transnational Repression and the "Terrorist" Label

A central theme of the meeting with the Consulate official was the Vietnamese government's use of "terrorist" designations to target peaceful activists and their international supporters. Y Aron Eban noted that on March 19, 2026, the Ministry of Public Security issued a "wanted" notice for Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang of BPSOS, labeling him a terrorist and naming other MSFJ members in the process.

Eban described this as a political tactic to justify "transnational repression," creating a real risk that activists in Thailand could be monitored, arrested, or forcibly repatriated through cross-border cooperation. He emphasized that such actions violate the international principle of non-refoulement, which protects refugees from being returned to a country where they face persecution.

A Call for International Protection

The MSFJ representatives shared a harrowing account of the environment for refugees in Thailand, citing raids in February and October 2025 that saw over 130 Montagnards detained. They reported that Vietnamese officials have even traveled to Thailand to demand refugees return, implying that failure to do so could lead to coercive measures.

The meeting concluded with an urgent appeal to the U.S. government and the international community to:

* Monitor the situation of Montagnards in both the Central Highlands and Thailand.

* Prevent forced repatriations and protect vulnerable refugees.

* Reject unverified political allegations used to strip activists of their legal protections.

"We are living in fear," the members stated, calling for a "strong voice" to ensure their safety and dignity are upheld against baseless accusations.