10/2/2024 Thailand/Vietnam (International Christian Concern) — A Thai court ordered Christian activist Y Quynh Bdap, co-founder of advocacy group Montagnards Stand for Justice, to be extradited to Vietnam to face charges for alleged terrorist and anti-Communist government activities related to protests in June 2023 in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese government made the unusual extradition request to Thai officials even though Bdap was not in Vietnam during the protests in question. He has been in Thailand since 2018, seeking asylum and resettlement. Bdap’s lawyer is appealing the court ruling.
International Christian Concern (ICC) has followed Bdap’s case closely and has investigated the plight of these Vietnamese Christians who have fled to Thailand.
“Bdap’s case is hugely important because if he is extradited, he will almost certainly face violence and more persecution in Vietnam,” an ICC staffer said. “If he is extradited, this is a ‘slippery slope’ that will put other persecuted Christian refugees seeking asylum in Thailand at huge risk of being extradited to their home countries to surely face more and probably worse persecution. The international church and human rights communities must work to stop Bdap’s and any other similar extradition processes and help the hundreds of Christian refugees languishing in Thailand. We have seen with our own eyes the huge needs there, and we must act.”
ICC staff recently visited with Montagnard Christians in Bangkok, Thailand, who are also seeking asylum after being persecuted.
“During one visit, we saw dozens and dozens of Montagnard Christian families living in very basic and harsh conditions while waiting for years in Thailand, rhoping for resettlement,” an ICC staffer said. “We net with Montagnard pastors and church leaders who were doing their best to strengthen their people spiritually through Bible studies and small group fellowships. Despite the extreme challenges in Thailand, they remain faithful and hopeful. But help is desperately needed for these Christian refugees.”
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