Vietnam labels foreign dissenting groups as “terrorist organizations”

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 Vietnam’s internal security agency took the noteworthy step of declaring two US-based political groups as “terrorist organizations”. The Montagnard Support Group Inc. (MSGI), headquartered in North Carolina, and the Montagnard Stand for Justice (MSFJ), established in Thailand, stand accused of organizing attacks and supporting a secessionist movement within Vietnam. The Ministry of Public Security released a statement outlining the allegations, linking both organizations to deadly assaults in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region in June 2023 that resulted in nine deaths, including four police officers.

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The Montagnards, also known as the “mountain people” in French, are an indigenous ethnic minority in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Mostly comprising Protestant Christians, many Montagnards allied with the United States during the Vietnam War, making them a target of the communist government’s repression. Their historic ties to the US have caused them to be viewed with suspicion and face restrictions by Vietnamese authorities.

The communist Vietnamese government maintains a strict stance on dissent and political opposition, both domestically and overseas. Expat dissident groups, often led by members of Vietnam’s large diaspora, are closely monitored and labeled as “reactionaries.” The government exercises tight control over media and expression, limiting freedoms of speech and association. It also has a history of designating organizations linked to the defunct state of South Vietnam as terrorist entities.

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The Ministry of Public Security alleges that MSGI and MSFJ have been recruiting ethnic minorities in Vietnam, providing them with training, and directing them to carry out terrorist acts. These acts reportedly include inciting protests, targeting government officials and civilians, sabotaging state resources, and attempting to establish breakaway states within Vietnam. The government warns that individuals associated with or accepting funding from these groups will face charges of subversion and legal repercussions.

While the allegations are serious, the accused groups and US government offices in Hanoi have yet to respond to requests for comment, leaving many questions unanswered and increasing complexity. Meanwhile, human rights groups have criticized Vietnam’s recent crackdown on dissent, highlighting the arrest of three prominent activists on propaganda charges. They called for the prompt release of these activists, emphasizing their right to freedom of expression.

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Vietnam’s designation of MSGI and MSFJ highlights ongoing efforts to suppress dissent and political opposition at home and abroad. The charges raised concerns over human rights violations and the stifling of free speech, with international scrutiny and pressure on Vietnam to uphold human rights and fair standards likely intensifying as events unfold.