Phnom Penh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Entire families of Montagnards continue to flee their villages of origin in Vietnam and cross the border with Cambodia, to escape persecution by the Communist authorities in Hanoi and in search of a better life. Last November, a first group had left the country of origin. This week 18 other people have crossed the border and asked for political asylum from the government of Phnom Penh.
The group,
which arrived in Cambodian territory yesterday, includes two women. The refugees
have sought shelter in a remote area in the forest of the northeastern province
of Rattanakiri.
Chhay Thi, Adhoc activist (Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association),
confirms that "they are seeking political asylum" and count on the
"United Nations".
In 2001 and 2004, at least 2 thousand Montagnards - a Christian minority,
native to the mountainous areas of central Vietnam - migrated to Cambodia to
escape the violence of Hanoi authorities, who confiscated their land and
persecute them because of their Christian faith. Most of them got political
asylum, with the United States top of the list for granting visas.
In recent years their exodus has once again become a reality with more and more
families trying to cross the border, seeking shelter in neighboring Cambodia.
With the help of UN officials, some of them have applied for political asylum,
although many are reluctant to contact the authorities in Phnom Penh, for fear
of being deported.
In the past few months alone at least 32 the motnagnards have sought shelter in
the forests of Cambodia, including three children, and have been forced to
fight every day against malaria and lack of food, in order to survive.