tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92088562024-02-19T07:28:32.184-08:00Vietnam Human Rights JournalStephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.comBlogger331125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-26615449824407281142012-06-18T12:23:00.002-07:002012-06-18T12:23:43.285-07:00Catholic dissidents sentencedFour Catholic dissidents affiliated with the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer were sentenced to prison terms at a trial held May 24 in Nghe An province, charged with conducting propaganda against the state. As reported by Front Line Defenders:<br />
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"Dau Van Dong was convicted to three and a half years of imprisonment with one year probation, Tran Huc Duc was convicted to three years and three months of imprisonment with one year probation, Chu Manh Son was sentenced to three years of imprisonment with one year probation, while Hoang Phong received a sentencing of two years probation."<br />
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The report notes that the defendants "were represented by three lawyers who only recently had access to their clients, whom they believe were convicted for handing out pro-democracy leaflets."<br />
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According to Human Rights Watch: "the four activists had participated in volunteer activities, including encouraging women not to have abortions, donating blood, and volunteering to help orphans and victims of natural disasters."<br />
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Sources: <a href="http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/18633">Front Line Defenders</a> June 15; <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/05/22/vietnam-free-catholic-activists">Human Rigths Watch,</a> May22.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-74654938457248538912012-06-18T12:03:00.000-07:002012-06-18T12:03:04.575-07:00Journalists protest assaults against themVietnamNet Bridge reports:<br />
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"Over the past five years, there have been about 40 cases in which journalists were assaulted, five of which have occurred recently, said deputy chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Pham Quoc Toan."<br />
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Among the recent cases was a police assault of two journalists covering a forced land eviction last April, and a journalist who was assaulted by a group of people in Lang Son province last January while working on a report about smuggling. Reporters are particularly vulnerable by attacks from the subjects of their investigation when writing about corruptiion cases.<br />
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The Vietnam Journalists Association has called for regulations to protect the rights of journalists and their activities, such as recording, photographing, shooting, getting information or material.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/society/23583/journalist-protection-should-be-strengthened--seminar.html">VietnamNet/Tuoi Tre</a>, June 13.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-9916166193325268082011-05-28T23:38:00.000-07:002011-05-28T23:56:32.679-07:001977 Buddhist protest documentsThe text of documents released in 1977 from the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) leaders, protesting religious repression and human rights violations, can be found <a href="http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/rcl/06-3_183.pdf">here</a>.<br /><br />The documents were smuggled out of the country by a high ranking UBCV monk, Thich Man Giac, who fled by fishing boat in 1977, and translated into English by the Vietnamese Buddhist Peace Delegation, headed by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh and Sister Chan Khong (then a layperson, known as Cao Ngoc Phuong). The link is to a 1978 journal of Religion in Communist Lands, as it was then known, later known as Religion, State, and Society, published by the Keston Center for Religion, Politics, & Society. The documents were also published in a book by James H. Forest, <i>The Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam: Fifteen Years for Reconciliation</i>. Alkmaar, Netherlands: International Fellowship of Reconciliation, 1978.<br /><br />The documents are of historical significance because this was the first major protest of any kind within Vietnam, and it also marked one of the most serious crackdowns on religion by the new government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, at a time when it was at its most repressive and closed mode. The top six leaders of the UBCV were arrested shortly after these documents were issued, in April 1977, and imprisoned until December 1978. Another prominent monk involved with these documents, Thich Thien Minh, was arrested and died in prison in 1978. By 1981, the government had moved to establish a state-sponsored Buddhist church, and required the UBCV to incorporate itself into this new organization. Some UBCV leaders, most notably Thich Huyen Quang and Thich Quang Do, strongly protested, and thus spent most of the subsequent years in prison or under house arrest.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-70601496606796230692011-05-28T18:40:00.000-07:002011-05-28T19:49:17.045-07:00Cu Huy Ha Vu, HRW reportHuman Rights Watch issued May 26 a 59-page report on dissident Cu Huy Ha Vu, who was sentenced last month to seven years imprisonment for carrying out propaganda against the state.<br /><br />One interesting point brought out in the report is the wide support he has received within Vietnam. The press release can be found <a href="http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/05/26/vietnam-free-maverick-legal-activist">here</a>.<br /><br />The text of the report in English can be found <a href="http://www.hrw.org/node/99167">here</a>. In Vietnamese, <a href="http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/05/26/vi-t-nam-ng-i-u-v-i-nh-ho-t-ng-ph-p-l-c-huy-h-v">here</a>.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-6110320606906153982011-01-26T11:45:00.000-08:002011-01-26T12:37:18.587-08:00Vi Duc Hoi sentencedVi Duc Hoi, a former Communist Party official, has been sentenced by a court in Lang Son province to eight years in prison, followed by five years house arrest, for posting pro-democracy articles on the internet. He was convicted of "spreading anti-government propaganda," in violation of Article 88 of the Criminal Code. Amnesty International issued a press release today protesting his sentence, which can be found <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/viet-nam-activist-prison-sentence-condemned-2011-01-26 ">here</a>.<br /><br />See also Viet Tan <a href="http://www.viettan.org/spip.php?article8063">report</a> and this one from Viet Tan last <a href="http://www.viettan.org/spip.php?article10593">November</a>. Frontline Defenders <a href="http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/14290">says</a>: "Vi Duc Hoi was a member of the Communist Party between 1980 and 2007, during which time he held a number of positions: Director of the Communist Party School in Huu Lung District, Lang Son Province; District Standing Committee Member; and Chairman of the District Propaganda and Education Committee.<br /><br />"The day after he submitted his resignation on 1 May 2007, a party official reportedly issued an order, Decision no. 388-QD/TU, stating that the party would have to “undertake disciplinary action against comrade Vi Duc Hoi [...] and expel him”.<br /><br />"Vi Duc Hoi was previously arrested in April 2008 for his part in protesting the Beijing Torch Relay in Vietnam. On 12 June 2008, during a Communist Party rally, Vi Duc Hoi was publicly denounced, accused of treason, and threatened with expulsion from his hometown. His wife was dismissed from the Communist Party as a result of her 'inability to educate her husband'. Since joining Bloc 8406 Vi Duc Hoi has been denied his health insurance and pension..."Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-19654849966349667182010-08-03T22:18:00.000-07:002010-08-03T22:26:04.988-07:00Ceremony honors Catholic martyrsA commemorative ceremony to honor Vietnam's Peter Doan Cong Qui and Emmanuel Le Van Phung, two of the 117 sainted Catholic martyrs from Vietnam, was held July 31 on Gieng island in Long Xuyen diocese of southern Vietnam, concelebrated by 60 priests, with the participation of hundreds of ceremonies and 3,000 laity. Click <a href="http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/82593.htm">here</a> for full article, from Asia News, reprinted in Viet Catholic News Aug. 3.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-50345731305424234732010-07-29T23:17:00.000-07:002010-07-29T23:19:57.755-07:00A Rights Agenda for VietnamDuy Hoang, leader of Viet Tan, an overseas Vietnamese anti-communist group, calls on Sec. of State Clinton to put more pressure on the Vietnam government in the area of human rights, particularly with regard to internet freedom and the release of dissidents. Click <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703720504575377984024082128.html">here</a> for the full op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, July 19.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-39400472678265425992010-07-27T18:44:00.000-07:002010-07-27T19:04:41.469-07:00UN officials reports on minority rights in VietnamStatement by the United Nations Independent Expert on minority issues, Ms. Gay McDougall, on conclusion of her official visit to Viet Nam – 5 to 15 July 2010<br /><br />In my capacity as the United Nations Independent Expert on minority issues I have conducted an official visit to Viet Nam from 5 to 15 July 2010. The objective of my visit was to hold consultations on minority issues and to examine the human rights situation of Viet Nam’s numerous minority groups in conformity with my UN mandate. Under my mandate I am required to promote implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities* and to identify challenges as well as successful practices in regard to minority...<br /><br />..The Government readily acknowledges that, despite a remarkable period of economic growth, progress towards the MDGs and highly positive results in respect to poverty alleviation and economic development in general, most minority groups remain the poorest of Viet Nam’s poor. The acknowledgment of the economic and social gaps that exist between the minority communities and the majority population, who identify themselves as the “Kinh” ethnic group, is an important step towards putting in place the measures required to close those gaps. Government programs over the past several years have established important initiatives to close those gaps through infrastructure projects, social protection programs and developments in the fields of health and education. The government should be commended for these programs and the improvements that they have made in the lives of minorities. <br /><br />I understand the challenges facing the government in achieving the rights of non-Kinh ethnic communities, particularly those in the most geographically remote areas. I welcome the government’s affirmation of its commitment to tackling those challenges as a matter of high priority. It is critical that the Government ensures that its economic growth is achieved without negatively impacting on the lives of minorities or deepening their poverty and that they share fully in the benefits of growth and prosperity, while maintaining their distinct cultures and identities...<br /><br />For full report, by Ms. Gay McDougall, July 21, click <a href="http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10223&LangID=E">here</a>.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-24138432456415608602010-07-27T18:23:00.000-07:002010-07-27T18:33:54.646-07:00Dissent article on dissident movement in VietnamIn its summer issue, Dissent magazine, published in New York, breaks the silence on efforts to quell pro-democracy movements in Vietnam with an article titled “Vietnamese Dissidents: Absent from the Western Mind.”<br /><br />Dustin Roasa, a free lance writer based in Cambodia, describes the most recent chapter in the history of Vietnamese dissidents, which began on April 8, 2006, when a group of activists posted on-line a “Manifesto 2006 on Freedom and Democracy.” The Dissent article was featured in a blog called Human Rights for Workers...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://freetradeunionism.org/2010/07/dissidents-in-vietnam-out-of-sight-out-of-mind/">here</a> for remainder of commentary in the Committee for Free Trade Unionism blog, July 27.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-89251732070789202052010-07-27T18:02:00.000-07:002010-07-27T18:04:12.258-07:00Mob throws coffin on government stepsThousands of angry Vietnamese surrounded a government building, throwing rocks and blocking traffic with a coffin following the unexpected death of a man detained for a routine traffic violation, a newspaper reported Tuesday. <br /><br />Nong Nghiep Vietnam newspaper quoted the victim's uncle, Nguyen Van Toan, as saying that family members gathered to demand an investigation into the 21-year-old man's death in northern Bac Giang province. He was hospitalized after being taken into custody following a routine traffic stop...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/07/27/vietnamese-mob-throws-coffin-govt-steps.html">here</a> for full report from Associated Press, July 27.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-64467110305841297652010-07-27T16:45:00.000-07:002010-08-27T10:15:20.998-07:00Rights abuse in drug treatment centersDrug policies based on ideology rather than science are fueling human rights abuses of drug users, according to a panel of experts speaking at last week’s Eighteenth International AIDS Conference which took place in Vienna, Austria. <br /><br />Violations of physical and legal rights coupled with poor outcomes mar many country’s drug treatment programmes, which can include forced labour or exercise and prison-like conditions. <br /><br />Asia acts as the epicentre of such mandatory programmes, in which drug users are forcibly removed from their communities and kept in centres for months to years. Currently, the continent boasts an estimated 400,000-5000,000 detainees. Considering programmes in China and Cambodia, Richard Pearshouse says that these programmes have seen a “massive scale up” in recent years...<br /><br />...T.M. Hammet of USAID voiced similar concerns as he described the situation of detainees in Vietnam’s “06 Centres,” who also experience no due process and may spend up to four years within the programme. Countrywide 33,000 users are currently detained...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.aidsmap.com/page/1497482/">here</a> for full article, from Aidsmap July 27.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-90480715692732460002010-07-27T16:41:00.000-07:002010-07-27T16:43:12.735-07:00Trade, but also human rights, in Washington Hanoi cooperationHanoi - The United States wants to increase cooperation with Vietnam, although there are "profound differences" in the vision of human rights and democracy, despite criticism of Hanoi for the repression against dissidents, attacks on religious groups and limited access to Internet.<br /><br />This is what has emerged from US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s the visit to Vietnam, during the meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, held in Hanoi...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=37215&t=Vietnam%3A++Us%3A+++Trade%2C+but+also+human+rights%2C+in+Washington+Hanoi+cooperation">here</a> for full story from Spero News/Asia News July 27.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-5373119469338617492010-07-26T11:06:00.000-07:002010-07-26T11:07:15.172-07:00Closing statement of Dep. PM Pham Gia Khiem at ASEAN meeting..We commended the efforts of the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in finalizing the 5-year Work Plan, and approved the high priority programmes and activities for 2010-2011 of AICHR. We reaffirmed the role of AICHR as the overarching institution for regional cooperation in human rights and stressed the need for the AICHR to ensure the effective operation in conformity with its Terms of Reference and establish its proper alignment with other human rights bodies in ASEAN, including the ASEAN Commission on the promotion and protection of rights of Women and Children (ACWC)...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.isria.com/pages/26_July_2010_349.php">here</a> for full text of statement.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-38976883261179955172010-07-26T10:55:00.001-07:002010-07-26T11:09:29.198-07:00Decree on implementation of the law on residential housing of VietnamOn 23 June 2010, the Government of Vietnam promulgated Decree No. 71/2010/ND-CP (“Decree 71”) guiding the implementation of the Law on Residential Housing dated 29 November 2005. Decree 71 will take effect on 8 August 2010 and will replace Decree No. 90/2006/ND-CP (“Decree 90”) of the Government dated 6 September 2006...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=8660a136-4ce5-4b8f-8891-85884bdc1919">here</a> for full article.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-10147665558310336542010-07-26T10:51:00.000-07:002010-07-26T10:52:41.226-07:00For Ly Tong, Vietnam War Still RagesLy Tong, arguably the most famous, if not the most colorful, of all Vietnamese-American anti-communist activists, was arrested again in San Jose. The man, who many in the Vietnamese-American community call “Hero Ly Tong,” reportedly dressed up as a woman and bought a ticket to a Vietnamese concert. He made his way to the stage and pepper-sprayed the famous Vietnamese pop singer Hung Vinh Dam, who is visiting from Vietnam. The reason: Dam is accused of being a communist and spreading propaganda in the United States, even though the singer only sings love songs...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.baycitizen.org/blogs/pulse-of-the-bay/ly-tong-vietnam-war-still-rages/">here</a> for full article.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-41950819971433509282010-07-25T00:13:00.000-07:002010-07-25T00:16:57.297-07:00Haiphong Catholics relaunch youth ministryHanoi – More than a hundred young people attended a seminar in the<br />diocese of Haiphong titled ‘Young people and faith’ as part of an<br />effort by the Vietnamese Catholic Church to re-launch its youth<br />ministry programme.<br /><br />The three-day event (20 to 22 July), organised by the Youth Ministry<br />Committee of the Vietnam Catholic Bishops’ Council, brought together four bishops, about 25 priests and nuns involved with youth as well as more than 100 young people from 26 different dioceses...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=37076&t=Vietnam%3A+++Haiphong%3A+Catholics+re+launch+Catholic+Church+youth+ministry">here</a> for full article.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-62666782468536724542010-07-25T00:06:00.000-07:002010-07-25T00:10:55.818-07:00Government-Incited Gang in Vietnam Attacks House ChurchHO CHI MINH CITY (Compass Direct News) – A gang of youths on Sunday attacked a house church as the congregation worshiped in Xi Thoai village in Phu Yen Province on Vietnam’s south central coast,<br />Christian sources said.<br /><br />The local youths smashed the walls of the home and wreaked havoc<br />within as they railed against evangelist Mang Vuong for being a<br />Christian and for building his home to be a house church, the sources<br />said. The sources noted that on the night of June 10 the same youths,<br />spurred by local authorities, broke into Vuong’s home in Xuan Lanh<br />Commune, Dong Xuan district, stole more than $3,000 and destroyed<br />household furnishings, utensils and books...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100724/government-incited-gang-in-vietnam-attacks-house-church/">here</a> for full article.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-75049374255881462602010-07-23T18:33:00.000-07:002010-07-23T18:34:59.271-07:00Breaking Fences In Vietnam - by Bill HaytonInternational aid and investment has not brought multi-party democracy to Vietnam; instead it has made one party rule more efficient and effective.<br /><br />Fulbright scholar and celebrity lawyer Le Cong Dinh is to remain in prison in Vietnam. Recently, the Appeals Court in Ho Chi Minh City upheld his five-year sentence for 'trying to overthrow the state' and returned Dinh and his two co-accused to their cells. The fate of this man--who famously defended his country's catfish farmers against U.S. trade restrictions; was deputy head of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association; briefed international legal delegations; and married a former Miss Vietnam--has now clearly defined the limits of political activity the ruling Communist Party (CPV) will tolerate...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/13/vietnam-activism-freedom-markets-economy-politics.html?boxes=Homepagechannels">here </a>for full article.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-46869154308472271922010-07-22T23:15:00.000-07:002010-07-22T23:26:28.882-07:00Clinton raises human rights during Vietnam visitVarious reports:<br /><br />New York Times/Bloomberg: <br /><br />HANOI, Vietnam — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton chided<br />Vietnam on Thursday for intolerance of dissent and infringement of<br />Internet freedom, even as she celebrated its 15 years of normalized<br />relations with the United States.<br /><br />Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton during a news conference<br />with Pham Gia Khiem, Vietnam’s foreign minister, in Hanoi on Thursday.<br /><br />Mrs. Clinton said she raised the issues of jailed democracy activists,<br />attacks on religious groups and curbs on social-networking Web sites<br />during a meeting with Vietnam’s deputy prime minister, Pham Gia Khiem...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/world/asia/23diplo.html?src=me">here</a> for full text of article.<br /><br />--<br /><br />Washington Post:<br /><br />HANOI -- The Obama administration is ready to move to the "next level"<br />of close relations with Vietnam despite concerns and "profound<br />differences" over human rights, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham<br />Clinton said during a visit to Hanoi on Thursday...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072200713.html?hpid=topnews">here</a> for full text of report. <br /><br />---<br /><br />Voice of America:<br /><br />U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in Hanoi for a regional<br />security forum, has hailed 15 years of improving relations with<br />Vietnam since the war fought there 35 years ago. However, Clinton<br />also cited outstanding human rights concerns in the one-party state...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/In-Vietnam-Clinton-Hails-Relations-Cites-Human-Rights-Concerns-99008014.html">here</a> for full text of report. <br /><br />---<br /><br />Reuters:<br /><br />Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed concern<br />Thursday over Vietnam's arrests of dissidents, attacks on religious<br />groups and curbs on Internet freedom, but said the countries remained<br />friends...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66L24G20100722?type=politicsNews">here</a> for full text of report. <br /><br />---<br />OC Weekly blog:<br /><br />News services are reporting that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton<br />pressured Vietnam's leaders to improve its human rights practices<br />during her trip to the Southeast Asian nation, but two Orange County<br />members of Congress view her actions with opposing conclusions.<br /><br />Loretta Sanchez (D-Anaheim) told The Orange County Register's<br />Washington, D.C. bureau that she was "thrilled" by Clinton raising the<br />issue, but Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) complained that the secretary of<br />state's rebuke had been too brief and weak...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/breaking-news/ed-royce-hillary-clinton-faile/">here</a> for full text of report.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-71388139314615259212010-07-22T16:42:00.000-07:002010-07-22T16:43:44.917-07:00HRW: Clinton Should Press Hanoi on RightsUS Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should highlight the importance of respect for human rights in Vietnam during her visit to Hanoi to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum on July 23, 2010, Human Rights Watch said today...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/07/21/vietnam-clinton-should-press-hanoi-rights">here</a> for full press release.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-86948184544991267202010-07-22T14:39:00.001-07:002010-07-22T14:40:24.577-07:00Independent magazine keeps publishing despite harassmentReporters Without Borders voices its full support for the writers and editors of <a href="http://www.to-quoc.net">To Quoc </a>(http://www.to-quoc.net), an independent fortnightly that has managed to keep appearing in print and online despite a campaign of threats and harassment. One of its founders told Reporters Without Borders the threats were part of a “dangerous plans by the conservatives” before the Communist Party’s next congress...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://en.rsf.org/vietnam-independent-magazine-keeps-09-04-2010,36975.html">here</a> for full report (published last April).Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-1347796022882518952010-07-22T12:24:00.000-07:002010-07-22T12:42:34.332-07:00Le Thi Cong Nhan poem - I have a dream<a href="http://danutm.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/le-thi-cong-nhan.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 337px;" src="http://danutm.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/le-thi-cong-nhan.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The following translation of a poem was sent to me by a friend and is <br />also posted at the website listed below. <a href="http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/vietnam/16784/">Le Thi Cong Nhan</a> is a lawyer <br />and dissident who was recently released from prison after completing <br />a three year sentence for her human rights work, but is now under house arrest. <br /><br />This <a href="http://doithoaionline.org/baimoitrongthang/2010/0710/baimoi0710_296.html">link</a> includes the original Vietnamese version: <br /><br />------------------------------------------------------------------- <br /><br /><br />I HAVE A DREAM <br />by Le Thi Cong Nhan <br /><br /><br />I have a dream <br />that one day <br />on earth <br />there will be no more <br />communists. <br /><br /><br />Then, my village peasants <br />will not have to work hard in the rice field <br />under the hot burning sun, <br />soaked in sweat <br />in the rainy storm, <br />lonely <br />in the empty rice field, <br />so the grain will be ripe <br />and full. <br />Yet <br />more than half must be given to feed the dictatorial communist <br />government <br />What's left?! <br /><br /><br />Then, my country's scholars <br />will raise their voice to the truth <br />Because the figure 8 handcuff <br />and provision 88 of the legal statute <br />will have been expunged <br />out of our thoughts. <br />With it go provisions 79, 87, <br />and 258 ... <br />abominable forever ! <br />They are the unique products of our country <br />and of other socialist brethrens' <br />But <br />Comrades? <br />An evil axis to be more accurate ! <br />Walking together <br />they usurp the wealth <br />to themselves <br />for eternity ! <br /><br /><br />Then my country's poets and writers <br />will flood their thoughts fully <br />without <br />suppressing them, <br />hiding them, <br />hanging them, <br />bagging them, <br />or simply <br />forgetting them, <br />pretending that they don't have any honest thoughts <br />at all! <br /><br /><br />And then, <br />the poems and songs <br />from my country <br />will flourish <br />even if they have to start all over. <br />But <br />a single step <br />on the honest path (if you dare to join) <br />is enough to overwhelm you! <br />Really! <br />Try it! <br /><br /><br />When there is no longer a communist shadow <br />in my country <br />then the lawyer <br />will truly be <br />the heart of democracy!! <br />To deliver eloquent speeches, lecture, <br />debate, defend, <br />without being afraid <br />to be thrown in jail, <br />refusing to be <br />dumb witted <br />Refusing to praise and glorify the communist gang, <br />and a decomposed corpse (made of composite)! <br />To be great, <br />to be the only truth <br />on earth. <br /><br /><br />Then, <br />there will no longer be hardship <br />of the hard working laborors <br />with the dirt cheap salary <br />that cannot be any cheaper ! <br /><br /><br />And there will no longer be any more calamity <br />that the spiritual leaders have to endure <br />because of their stubbornness <br />and of their characters, <br />to be foolish enough <br />to demand freedom of religions and religious beliefs, <br />and furthermore <br />to demand back <br />the confiscated properties that were taken unfairly from them, <br />in order to worship <br />God, the Almighty, the Lord <br />Our Creator, <br />and also <br />the Creator of the communists, too ! <br />Because He is the One who gave life <br />to humankind. <br /><br /><br />Therefore, the communists, <br />if you are still breathing <br />then definitely that notion <br />must be meaningful! (I know it is). <br /><br /><br />So that <br />for those who still have a conscience <br />and some bravery left, <br />and some respect for themselves, <br />some honor <br />that they unexpectedly found <br />after having lost it (for a long time) <br />"strongly condemn" <br />and <br />"fiercely oppose" <br />the communist dictatorship regime, <br />ruthless and uncivilized, <br />wicked and barbaric, <br />ignorant at best, <br />lavishing the most, <br />delirious to the extreme, <br />deceitful as the gods ! <br />etc... <br /><br /><br />Then, <br />everyone will find <br />the signification of their lives <br />is <br />to live for each other! <br />And to sacrifice for the human race, <br />for our brothers and sisters <br />created by our Creator <br />with Love! <br /><br /><br />I have a dream <br />that may not come true <br />in my life time, <br />and I venture to say/disclose/share <br />to cry out tragically <br />strongly and openly <br />to everyone to know <br />that: <br /><br /><br />I am not a mute, <br />I have ears and not deaf, <br />I have eyes and not blind, <br />and I have a heart (unfortunately) that still vibrates <br />a conscience that is not toothless <br />because it still has teeth <br />(it bites me every day! <br />And God is my witness!) <br />I have a head that still thinks <br />and dreams <br />about the things that are sublime, <br />but they are really simple things, <br />such as <br />Honest and Brave characters <br />the moral foundation <br />of a person ! <br /><br /><br />But, <br />Who? <br />Will recreate and be the guardian <br />of this foundation? <br /><br /><br />"I, <br />(the little insignificant krill Le Thi Cong Nhan) <br />volunteer to lend <br />a hand." <br /><br /><br />Thus, <br />The Rest <br />Awaits <br />Someone? <br /><br /><br />(The police, when insulting me, usually call me "the little brat, the <br />little devil, the little kid, ... too young but already committed <br />serious crimes". I decided that I will not consider it a sin whatever <br />names they call me because, when I look at myself, I am truly very <br />young. So, I call myself "The insignificant little krill" just for <br />fun !?!?)Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-57954439918703136182010-07-22T11:29:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:36:28.128-07:00Amnesty International urges release of Vietnam POCs on amnesty dayAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL<br /><br />VIET NAM: RELEASE PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE<br /><br />Viet Nam: Release prisoners of conscience<br />Index Number: ASA 41/001/2010<br />Date Published: 13 July 2010<br />Categories: Viet Nam<br /><br />Amnesty International is calling for all prisoners of conscience to be<br />included in a major amnesty for prisoners, authorized by Viet Nam’s<br />President to mark National Day on 2 September 2010. The Ministry of<br />Public Security has said that between 25,000 to 30,000 prisoners will<br />be granted amnesty and released from prison before National Day...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA41/001/2010/en">here</a> for full text.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-31656581239550928262010-07-22T11:24:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:26:17.381-07:00Catholic beaten to death by Vietnamese policeIn the latest in a series of official assaults against the Church in Vietnam, a Catholic layman was beaten to death by police for his protest against the seizure of his parish cemetery...<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/81882.htm">here</a> for full article. <br /><br />See also Eglises d'Asie <a href="http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/81875.htm">report</a>, which is more detailed.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208856.post-9816820623476735422010-07-22T11:23:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:24:03.588-07:00Vinh Long nuns keep fighting for justice and truthTheir convent has already been bulldozed to build a public square but the defiant Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres in Vinh Long still refuse to let themselves submitted to injustice....<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/82026.htm">here</a> for full article.Stephen Denneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285207249803219363noreply@blogger.com0