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INTRODUCTION

The Montagnard Human Rights Organization (MHRO) is a non-profit corporation organized in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, in 1998, under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. MHRO is a public charity Status, under Section 509 (a) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions (the MHRO Federal Tax ID No. Is 56-2111100).

PURPOSE

The mission of MHRO is to organize, promote, operate, and provide resources for programs intended to benefit the general welfare, and advance the rights of Montagnard people living in the United States and in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

ORGANIZATION

The MHRO is a membership organization founded by former leaders of the Montagnard Resistance Forces. Rong Nay was the Assistant Commander of the Montagnard Resistance Forces, also known as FULRO, in the jungle of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, from the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 until 1985. Since 1986, he has been directing and empowering the Montagnard Community in North Carolina. He currently serves as the Executive Director of MHRO. MHRO explores peaceful ways to improve human rights for the Montagnards in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Advocating action by the United States government, Congress and the United Nations to stop human rights violations in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and to promote policies with the government of Vietnam that will improve the living conditions for the Montagnard people.
Establishing a Montagnard Cultural Center in order to keep the culture alive. Encouraging and supporting Montagnard students who are pursuing their higher education in order to provide educated leaders for the future for the Montagnard people.
Educating Montagnard children about the Montagnard culture, language and way of life. Develop activities for Montagnard older adults and connect them to community resources to improve their quality of life.
Assisting Montagnard refugees living in the United States to become self-sufficient and improve their lives through activities such as classes to study English as a second language.

ACTIVITIES IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Bring to the attention of the United Nations, leaders of the free world, all democratic countries and human rights organizations, the persecution of the Montagnard people in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
Educate the international community about the plight of the Montagnards and continue to represent the Montagnard people in the following areas:
- The United Nations Workshop for Indigenous Peoples
- The International Organizations which support Human Rights
- The International Decade of Indigenous People

ACTIVITIES IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF VIETNAM

Working to improve the welfare and living conditions of the Montagnard people in the Central Highlands by cooperating with United States and international relief and development organizations.
Providing scholarships and exchange student programs for the Montagnard students.
Constructing medicine dispensaries and providing doctors, nurses and medicine for the Montagnard people.
Building schools and providing teachers and school materials for the Montagnard children in each village.

MONTAGNARDS ARE LOSING THEIR CULTURE

The Central Highlands of Vietnam was a battleground for thirty years. The Montagnard people were caught in the middle of the fighting and became victims of the conflict. In this war, a million Montagnard people were killed and eighty-five percent of Montagnard villages were destroyed or abandoned.

After the Vietnam War ended, peace did not return to the Montagnard people. They received only retribution, persecution and contempt. Because they were indigenous people, landowners and Christians, they were punished publicly and discriminated against. They have suffered terribly.

They have lost more than any other group in Vietnam: the right to live, the right to own their ancestral lands, the right to have churches, the right to attend local schools, and the right to operate traditional courts. They are now in danger of losing their entire culture. Traditional ways of life have been systematically abolished.

The Central Highlands is now a prison area for the Montagnard people. They are the victims of “ethnic-cleansing”. The eyes of the world need to be focused on this critical problem.