The forced expulsion of more than 300 followers of one of the world's most influential Buddhists highlights Vietnam's suppression of religious freedom, Human Rights Watch said today.

"The government views many religious groups, particularly popular ones that it fears it can't control, as a challenge to the Communist Party's authority," said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director of the US-based watchdog.

HRW said that late last month more than 100 "thugs and undercover police" armed with sticks and hammers broke down doors at the Bat Nha monastery and forcefully evicted 150 monks who follow Thich Nhat Hanh.

Hanh is a French-based Zen monk and peace activist who was a confidant of slain US civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

A day after the monks were evicted, according to a Human Rights Watch statement, more than 200 nuns were forced out of Bat Nha and joined the monks in a temporary refuge at a nearby pagoda.

Earlier this month Hanh, on a visit to the United States, said authorities had also surrounded that pagoda, in Vietnam's Central Highlands.

No new incidents

A follower, reached Monday in the area, told AFP there had been no further incidents "especially since a visit by a mission from the US embassy".

The government says local authorities "tried to maintain law and order to avoid clashes" and described the matter as an internal dispute between Hanh's followers and those of the top monk at Bat Nha, Thich Duc Nghi.

Nghi belongs to the official Vietnamese Buddhist Church.

The communist government also says followers of the French-based monk organised religious courses without permission and failed to register their temporary residence at the Bat Nha monastery.

But Human Rights Watch said the ousting of Hanh's followers was "clearly linked to his call for religious reforms".

All religious activity in Vietnam is subject to state control. Human Rights Watch said adherents of some religious groups that are not officially recognised are persecuted.

- AFP