Vietnam tortured protestors, human rights group says Last Updated Mon Apr 22 23:52:45 2002 PHNOM PENH - An international human rights group says Vietnam has used torture and arbitrary arrest to crush dissent among ethnic minorities.

Human Rights Watch says the country is violating international agreements in its Central Highlands area.

The report released Monday also criticizes neighbouring Cambodia for sealing its borders to fleeing hill tribe refugees.

The 200-page report comes after ethnic minorities staged protests over religious freedoms and land rights beginning in February of last year.

Hanoi responded by sending thousands of troops and police to the Central Highlands.

The report says that in the past year, Vietnamese authorities burned churches and tortured protesters with electric shocks and beatings.

Written by CBC News Online staff