Death toll of Vietnam crackdown grows

The number of Christians killed by the Vietnam's communist government in an Easter crackdown has risen to 280, with 26 people still missing, reports International Christian Concern.

ICC, which monitors the persecution of Christians worldwide, says it has obtained the names and villages of 41 of the dead.

Information has been hard to come by because the government sealed off the area where the April 10 attacks occurred. The Christians were killed after demonstrating for religious freedom, an end to the confiscation of their land and an end to the abuse suffered at the hands of the Vietnamese authorities.

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ICC reports the final death toll will likely be higher than 280 and that until recently the Vietnam government had not allowed representatives of the press into the area.

"It has remained difficult to learn the truth of what happened because of the quick response of the Vietnamese government to cover their steps," said the group in a statement. "They have learned from previous experience that if a story is suppressed long enough it will disappear."

ICC criticizes Sens. John McCain and John Kerry for their support of Vietnam, calling on the latter to "address this issue and tell the American public where he stands on the murder of innocent Christians by our 'friends.'"

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