Vietnam Penalizes 119 Christians Over Alleged Separatist Ties

Vietnamese authorities say 119 Christians in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai faced enforcement action in the first half of 2026 over alleged ties to groups pressing for religious and ethnic self-determination. The crackdown reflects Hanoi's long pattern of treating independent and ethnic-minority churches as national-security threats. Advocates warn the label of 'separatism' is being used to justify surveillance, fines, and detention of believers who worship outside state-sanctioned structures.