February 2024 Persecution Magazine

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
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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024