Vietnam (International Christian Concern) — Authorities in Vietnam are continuing to intimidate members of unregistered Montagnard house churches, according to Boat People SOS (BPSOS).

Officials increased monitoring of these believers in August and September after several house churches in the Dak Lak Province observed the International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence on Religion or Belief on Aug. 22.

These believers also refused to join the government’s Evangelical Church of Vietnam-South, BPSOS stated in a letter to the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.

The harassment started around 5 p.m. on Aug. 5, when a police officer visited the home of Evangelist Y Hem Mlô with Good News Mission Church of Krông Buk Village.

Like the other pastors and evangelists whom the police visited through early September, Y Hem Mlô was interrogated for his church’s participation in the observance. After informing the officer that 30 people met at his home for worship, the officer told Y Hem Mlô that the services must end.

“The government has not permitted Good News Mission Church followers to worship at your home,” the officer said. “Only those who live with you may do so.”

In total, police visited and interrogated about 10 pastors and evangelists tied to the international observance.

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