Talks concerning the repatriation of Vietnam’s highland refugees, the Dega, have recently taken a new turn, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Hanoi continues to demand that the U.N. repatriate Vietnam’s central highland refugees by April 30. The U.N. is not ready to do so because Vietnam has not been able to assure the safety for the returning indigenous Dega. Over the past year, more than 1,500, mostly indigenous Dega, fled to Cambodia after the government of Vietnam instigated unprecedented unrest over land and religion.
Dega, also known as Montagnards (hill people), have been the source of rising tension between Vietnam and the US government. Vietnam government officials have expressed their hostility towards the U.S. decision to provide political support and grant political asylum to many members of the Dega community. Dega have long suffered political and cultural oppression. They have lived in the shadow of the Vietnam government while struggling to preserve their own indigenous languages and remain ethnically distinct from other Vietnamese populations. However, these differences have led to continuing severe oppression and hardship for the Dega people.
Today there are only a few thousand Dega remaining, from what was once a thriving population of 3 million. Many historic events and changes have forced Dega to relocation and assimilation. They had to sacrifice their traditional subsistence techniques as the local forests were felled for logging and were no longer available as a means for subsistence. Dega continue to seek shelter in neighboring Cambodia and fear returning to the central hills of Vietnam, facing fierce retaliation from Hanoi if they do so.
