February 2024 Persecution Magazine

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Réfugié from Persecution Stories of Survival, Faith, and Struggle for Christians in Southeast Asia By ICC’s Southeast Asia Regional Team Did you know the word refugee has its roots in religious persecution? Refugee is derived from the French word réfugié which described the time more than 400,000 French Protestants fled France after 1685 to escape persecution from French Catholics. Central to the concept of a refugee is someone who must leave their home because of the persecution they endure from another dominant group, religion, or government. Christian refugees are growing quickly in Southeast Asia. RÉFUGIÉ TODAY More than 300 years after the Protestant Huguenots fled France, hundreds of thousands of réfugié today continue to flee their homelands across Southeast Asia because of persecution for their Christian faith. The basic drivers of Christian persecution in Southeast Asia are oppressive governments driven by Communism and Marxist ideologies, radical Islam, military dictatorships, and other socio-political pressures. Through restrictive laws and policies, or through savage war, or through blunt and violent force, Christians refugees voluntarily or are forced to leave their homes to seek refuge and safety somewhere else. Consequently, Christian refugees become categorized as internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are often boxed into IDP or refugee camps in their home country or abroad. Christian refugees are sometimes classed as political prisoners, activists, dissidents, or numerous other names. But if you dig deeper, their refugee status or story is ultimately because they are followers of Jesus Christ. This is usually ignored or missed by media agencies and political bodies involved in refugee work. RUNNING FOR SAFETY BUT PERSECUTION FOLLOWS THEM In Vietnam, thousands of Christians are escaping their homes and traveling to Thailand because of regular persecution and oppression from the Communist government. The UNHCR (UN’s refugee agency) has an office in Thailand, so refugees flood the country seeking refugee status. But this creates more pressure on Thai society, services, and infrastructure. In late 2023, ICC highlighted increased harassment and persecution of Vietnamese Hmong and Montagnard Christians from Thai government officials. For example, Hmong preacher and missionary Lu A Da fled to Thailand to seek official refugee status. He was arrested in Bangkok in early December 2023 and faces extradition back to Vietnam where he faces up to 20 years imprisonment for 18 Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - ROMANS 12:2 (ESV) PERSECUTION.ORG 19
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February 2024 Persecution Magazine

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