Testing the government’s good faith

1997 Sect’s assault on mourners at funeral of Cao Dai follower in Truong Hoa Commune, Town of Hoa Thanh, Tay Ninh Province

On October 31 and again on November 1, 2024, over 15 members of the state-created and controlled 1997 Cao Dai Sect, accompanied by thugs and people suspected of being government cadres wearing facemasks, forced their way into a private home in Tây Ninh Province and violently disrupted a funeral because the deceased’s family did not invite Sect members to attend the funeral rite. The intruders threw rocks, chairs, bottles and punches at the mourners, causing injuries to some. They stole accessories to musical instruments used as part of the funeral rite. Both the 1997 Cao Dai Sect leadership and the Vietnamese police turned a blind eye to this massive violation. On November 25, 2024, 16 victims and witnesses requested in writing that the police initiate criminal investigation against the attackers. On December 10, 2024 the People’s Procuracy of the Town of Hoa Thanh notified petitioners that they had transferred their request to the Investigation Unit of the Public Security of the Town of Hoa Thanh. According to regulations, this investigation unit must respond within 20 days, i.e., no later than December 31, 2024. That deadline has long passed without any words from this unit.

Documentary video:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1088426352504874&rdid=3EKImVRlljf5zGYg

Raw footages:

https://www.facebook.com/vietnam.bac.75/videos/1083413099522608

https://www.facebook.com/xuanluong.duong.90/videos/1493701201349749

https://www.facebook.com/VNFoRB/videos/579002791329736

https://www.facebook.com/VNFoRB/videos/1612178379644817

Indentified perpetrators

Updates on victims’ request for criminal investigation:

Nov 16, 2024 — Incident Report submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB

Nov 25, 2024 — Report of criminal offenses to the Procuracy of the Town of Hoa Thanh – Vietnamese original

Dec 10, 2024 — Notice of transfer to Investigation Unit