The severe persecution of Christians in parts of South East Asia and China was highlighted by MPs in a House of Commons debate last Wednesday 13th July, according to the UK-based human right watchdog Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
David Drew MP (Labour, Stroud) introduced the debate, beginning with an overview of the situation in South East Asia and China, focusing in particular on Vietnam, according to CSW.
Drew has explained many instances of persecution, which he described as the "awful cases of the most direct action against Christians", including the deliberate withholding of aid by the Vietnamese Government from Christians in many parts of Vietnam.
"Whether we are a Christian or follower of another religion or none, we should never lose sight of what is happening to Christians in other parts of the world," Drew said thoughtfully. He appealed to the British Parliament to take action against the alleged persecution of Christians by Vietnamese authorities.
"We ask the Minister to raise the issue directly with the Vietnamese authorities to make it clear that there is documented evidence of mistreatment of people in their community trying to practise their religion...We should be taking up such cases and telling the Vietnamese authorities that we know what is going on and that they must desist."
The US Department of State, which has been working on many human rights issues across the world, has also condemned Vietnam for violating religious freedom. Earlier this year, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) designated Vietnam a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for persecuting minority Protestants, Catholics and independent Buddhists.
Open Doors, an international organisation supporting persecuted churches and Christians in the world, ranks Vietnam as the third most dangerous country within 50 countries "where Christians suffer most for their faith."
Newly-elected Stephen Crabb MP (Conservative, Preseli Pembrokeshire), focused on religious persecution in China, according to CSW.
He noted, "The Chinese Government seems to regard religion as a threat to their power. As a result, they place severe restrictions on religious activities and seek to control them."
