On July 20, 2005, despite strong protests from many representatives of the U.S. Government and advocates, approximately 100 Montagnards from Vietnam were forcibly repatriated from Cambodia to Vietnam. Montagnards have long experienced
severe forms of persecution in Vietnam due to their Protestant Christian religious practices, land-rights disputes, and past partnerships with the American military. Because there are no effective systems of international monitoring in place in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, many advocates and community members fear that the Montagnards returned to Vietnam will face
persecution. Many also suspect that the UNHCR\'s system for screening the Montagnards was flawed, and that many of the people returned to Vietnam
could be eligible for refugee status in the United States.
We, the undersigned, strongly recommend that the Governments of the United States, Vietnam, and Cambodia, along with the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other interested organizations, work together to:
(1) Put in place an effective system of international monitoring to ensure that the religious and other rights of Montagnards are respected in the Central Highlands of Vietnam;
(2) Ensure that the Montagnards who have been forcibly returned to Vietnam have access to U.S. Government officials who can interview them for
to resettle as refugees to the United States.
(3) Ensure that Montagnards from Vietnam who remain in Cambodia should all have access to interviews to the U.S. -- whether they have been \"screened out\" by UNHCR or not -- and should not be forcibly returned to Vietnam. Voluntary return should take place only when appropriate protections are in place, including international monitoring in the Central Highlands.
The emails I am receiving from those directly affected are heartbreaking. I am currently reaching out to human rights contacts to ensure our demands are being presented to the right people.
6 Comments
S
Sarah Hudson
21 years ago
Featured
Heartbreaking to know they are being sent back to face abuse. We have a duty to help those who served with us.
J
Jennifer Tate
21 years ago
Featured
Why are we letting this happen?? They deserve safety not prison for their faith.
R
Robert Singh
21 years ago
Featured
Keep them safe. Its just wrong to deport them back to a place they will be persecuted.
M
Mike Nguyen
21 years ago
Featured
UNHCR failed them. Need real oversight in the highlands immediately.
T
Tammy Zhang
21 years ago
Featured
so sad. bring them here let them live in peace.
D
David Wade
21 years ago
Featured
These people helped us when we were in their country. We cant just turn our backs on them now. Fix this.
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On July 20, 2005, despite strong protests from many representatives of the U.S. Government and advocates, approximately 100 Montagnards from Vietnam were forcibly repatriated from Cambodia to Vietnam. Montagnards have long experienced
severe forms of persecution in Vietnam due to their Protestant Christian religious practices, land-rights disputes, and past partnerships with the American military. Because there are no effective systems of international monitoring in place in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, many advocates and community members fear that the Montagnards returned to Vietnam will face
persecution. Many also suspect that the UNHCR\'s system for screening the Montagnards was flawed, and that many of the people returned to Vietnam
could be eligible for refugee status in the United States.
We, the undersigned, strongly recommend that the Governments of the United States, Vietnam, and Cambodia, along with the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other interested organizations, work together to:
(1) Put in place an effective system of international monitoring to ensure that the religious and other rights of Montagnards are respected in the Central Highlands of Vietnam;
(2) Ensure that the Montagnards who have been forcibly returned to Vietnam have access to U.S. Government officials who can interview them for
to resettle as refugees to the United States.
(3) Ensure that Montagnards from Vietnam who remain in Cambodia should all have access to interviews to the U.S. -- whether they have been \"screened out\" by UNHCR or not -- and should not be forcibly returned to Vietnam. Voluntary return should take place only when appropriate protections are in place, including international monitoring in the Central Highlands.
The emails I am receiving from those directly affected are heartbreaking. I am currently reaching out to human rights contacts to ensure our demands are being presented to the right people.
6 Comments
S
Sarah Hudson
21 years ago
Featured
Heartbreaking to know they are being sent back to face abuse. We have a duty to help those who served with us.
J
Jennifer Tate
21 years ago
Featured
Why are we letting this happen?? They deserve safety not prison for their faith.
R
Robert Singh
21 years ago
Featured
Keep them safe. Its just wrong to deport them back to a place they will be persecuted.
M
Mike Nguyen
21 years ago
Featured
UNHCR failed them. Need real oversight in the highlands immediately.
T
Tammy Zhang
21 years ago
Featured
so sad. bring them here let them live in peace.
D
David Wade
21 years ago
Featured
These people helped us when we were in their country. We cant just turn our backs on them now. Fix this.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach
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Heartbreaking to know they are being sent back to face abuse. We have a duty to help those who served with us.