By Lê Việt Dũng
GIA LAI — A long-running separatist organisation, cloaked under the guise of religion, known as 'Dega Protestantism', has incited unrest among ethnic minorities in Việt Nam's Central Highlands for decades.
However, many followers, realising its deceitful nature, have renounced it, rejoined legitimate religious organisations and returned to the right side of the law.
The story of 'Dega Protestantism' begins with the formation of FULRO (Front Unifié de Lutte des Races Opprimées), an organisation seeking to establish a separatist state for ethnic minority communities in the Central Highlands.
From its inception until 1975, FULRO's activities revolved around political confrontations with the US-backed Saigon regime. After Việt Nam reunified, FULRO continued its insurgent activities, seeking to disrupt national unity.
Between the late 1970s and 1980s, FULRO reportedly received support from foreign powers and Khmer Rouge forces. The group attacked local government offices, deceived villagers into joining their ranks and killed those who refused to support their cause.
"FULRO told us that the People's Army of Việt Nam (PAV) would make life unbearable for the Gia Rai people, so we should follow them for a better future," said H'nêm, a Gia Rai villager who joined FULRO in 1981.
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| H'nêm, now a reformed and law-abiding citizen, mills rice in his yard. — VNS Photo Lê Việt Dũng |
However, what he and many other villagers received fell far short of "a better future." They suffered years of hardship in the group's encampments, subsisting on wild plants and constantly fearing punishment for dissent.
"FULRO gave us guns and told us to shoot PAV soldiers on sight," recalled H’nêm. "They threatened to kill anyone who tried to leave."
FULRO was gradually dismantled in the late 1980s by the Vietnamese government's sustained efforts and ultimately defeated in 1992 when the 407 remaining fighters surrendered to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia.
Despite its dissolution, FULRO’s leaders abroad continued their separatist agenda. In 1999, Ksor Kơk, a FULRO leader in exile, directed the creation of 'Dega Protestantism' to exploit religious faith to rally support for a 'Dega State'.
The Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South) publicly denounced the organisation in 2001, stating it was not affiliated with Protestantism and warning against its divisive tactics.
Spreading false promises of a separatist state and international support, the group recruited followers, including individuals previously affiliated with FULRO. They gathered at government offices to stage protests and incite unrest, creating public disorder.
"When officials tried to disperse us, we were told to resist and accuse the government of religious oppression," said Ksor Mel, a former member of 'Dega Protestantism'.
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| Ksor Mel recounts the misguided years he spent following 'Dega Protestantism', with his wife seated to the right. — VNS Photo Lê Việt Dũng |
Mel joined the group in 2001 after being recruited by relatives abroad. By 2004, he was assigned leadership over four villages in Hòa Phú Commune, Chư Păh District, Gia Lai Province.
"Leaders abroad told me to maintain the movement at all costs, claiming that if Việt Nam banned it, international intervention would follow," Mel said.
Mel explained that members were aware that their activities, aimed at forming a separatist state, violated Vietnamese law. Consequently, meetings were held secretly to avoid detection.
Over time, he began questioning the organisation’s motives and eventually renounced the group after being encouraged by local government officials and Methodist pastors.
Now studying theology to become a preacher in the legitimate Methodist Church, Mel has helped 42 others leave 'Dega Protestantism' and return to the mainstream.
His family has been granted official recognition to host religious gatherings, allowing them to practice openly and legally.
"After years of going astray, I realised that 'Dega Protestantism' is a false organisation that does not follow God’s teachings. It only causes division and disrupts national unity," Mel concluded.
Siu Un, another former member, led the group’s activities in Ayun Pa District and played a central role in the 2001 uprising.
He distributed propaganda calling for the establishment of the 'Dega State' and orchestrated violent protests. Arrested in February 2001, he was sentenced to 14 years for illegal detention, public disorder, and disrupting national security.
"At first, I believed the promises that the United Nations would intervene if we were arrested," Un said. "But after five years in prison, I realised it was all lies. No one came to rescue us."
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| From left to right: Siu Un, his wife, and the female official who helped him reintegrate into the community. — VNS Photo Lê Việt Dũng |
During his incarceration, only government officials visited him and his family, offering support. In contrast, the organisation abandoned him entirely. "That was when I stopped believing in the so-called Dega State," he said.
After serving his sentence, Un overcame his initial shame with support from local authorities and reintegrated into the community. He now serves as a deacon in the Vietnam Christian Mission, a recognised religious organisation.
"I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders now that I can practice my faith openly and legally," Un said.
Un also revealed that 'Dega Protestantism' leaders encouraged members to forcefully separate local Protestants from their churches, demanding they sign declarations to disaffiliate from the churches and join the movement. These activities aimed to redirect religious devotion into political rebellion.
Major General Rah Lan Lâm, Director of Gia Lai Provincial Police, revealed that 'Dega Protestantism' was behind major riots in 2001, 2004 and 2008 in the Central Highlands.
"Exploiting religion to incite separatist and autonomous ideologies is a malicious tactic often used by these groups," he said.
He stated that exiled FULRO leaders have reportedly established other organisations under religious guises to attract followers, such as the Montagnard Evangelical Church of Christ of the Central Highlands and Sang pơ pữ ana cư.
"These groups aim to lure ethnic minorities into anti-government activities under the pretence of religion," he added.
To counter these threats, Gia Lai's authorities launched the 'Returning to Faith, Preserving Village Peace' initiative in 2022, focusing on persuading former FULRO and 'Dega Protestantism' members to return to lawful religious practices.
The programme has been implemented in four key districts: Chư Sê, Phú Thiện, Đak Đoa and Ia Grai.
Over the past three years, the initiative has successfully encouraged 136 individuals to renounce FULRO and more than 780 others to rejoin legitimate religious organisations.
"This programme leverages the strength of the community, especially respected leaders and religious figures, to act as bridges in persuading and guiding those who have gone astray to return to legitimate faiths," said the Chairman of Gia Lai's People's Committee.
Participants are free to choose their religious affiliations and are supported with loans and vocational training to help rebuild their lives. One of the programme’s successes is Y Bome, a Ba Na man in Đak Đoa District.
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| Y Bome recounts the harsh years he suffered in the forest as a FULRO fighter. — VNS Photo Lê Việt Dũng |
Once appointed as a provincial governor by FULRO leaders, Bome abandoned separatist activities and received government assistance to farm coffee, raise livestock, and educate his children.
"FULRO’s lies only led people to harm their country and themselves," he said. "It’s the government that truly cares for the people of the Central Highlands." — VNS
