Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: February 8, 2025
Nguyen Manh Hung is a 71-year-old Protestant pastor in Vietnam.
A few weeks ago, Pastor Nguyen was accused of using social media to spread ‘anti-state propaganda’. If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Pastor Nguyen was arrested in a raid on his home in Ho Chi Minh City on 16 January. His son, Nguyen Tran Hien, was also detained but released after several hours of interrogation. The authorities seized several phones and laptops.
Who is Pastor Nguyen?
Pastor Nguyen is currently a member of the Interfaith Council of Vietnam, which advocates for freedom of religion or belief for all.
He was most recently associated with the Chuong Bo Protestant Church, which is affiliated with the global Mennonite Church. Neither church is officially registered with the Vietnamese government, which is a requirement under Vietnamese law.
Pastor Nguyen was charged under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code. Several other Christians have been targeted with this law, but so far most of them have belonged to minority ethnic groups. Pastor Nguyen belongs to the Kinh ethnic group – the largest ethnic group in Vietnam.
This highlights that the Vietnamese government is willing to arrest anyone from any part of the country if they do not follow the restrictive and cumbersome laws that curtail religious practice. A sign of Vietnam’s ever tightening grip on freedom of religion or belief in the country.
Please pray:
- That the unfounded charges against Pastor Nguyen Manh Hung will be dropped.
- For release of Pastor Nguyen and others who have been unjustly arrested in connection with their religion or belief.
- That Vietnamese authorities would stop targeting ethnic and religious minorities and be held to account.
- For the protection and encouragement of Vietnam’s ethnic and religious minorities, including Montagnard Christians.