Over 70 international religious groups and experts have sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging it to address the state-backed persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Vietnam.

“Over the past twelve months, we have observed the rapid escalation of repressive measures against religious groups that resist government control. Of particular concern are the government’s intensifying efforts to force Christians to renounce their faith, crack down on house churches that do not submit themselves to government control, and coerce members of independent religious groups to join government-controlled religious organizations,” the letter says.

One of the signatories, the Law firm ADF international, said no one should be persecuted, punished, or imprisoned for expressing their faith.

Sean Nelson of ADF added: “Over the past year, we have seen an increase in serious government harassment towards religious minority faiths in Vietnam, especially Christians. The Biden Administration now has an opportunity to stand up for those most persecuted by addressing this situation directly with the Vietnamese government. We implore Secretary Blinken to take this opportunity to speak out in support of the people of Vietnam’s fundamental right to worship freely and live out their faith, without fear of punishment and persecution.”