His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Embassy of Vietnam 1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Dear Prime Minister Dung: We have heard very concerning reports that Father Nguyen Van Ly suffered a second stroke on November 14, 2009. It is our understanding that Father Ly is receiving medical care in Hanoi and that his family has limited access to assist to his personal needs. In light of this crisis of health, we respectfully request that the government of Vietnam unconditionally release Father Ly, whom we believe to be a prisoner of conscience, on humanitarian grounds; that the government provides access for his immediate and long-term medical care; and that Father Ly's family is granted unencumbered admittance to lend moral, physical and spiritual support for Father Ly during this difficult time. On November 10, 2009, just a few days ago, representatives from the government of Vietnam met with officials from the US Department of State to continue the Human Rights Dialogue between our two countries. The case of Father Ly was raised during the discussions and remains of great concern to Members of Congress, US Senators, and other US government officials. Father Ly is one of many Vietnamese citizens who have been harassed for religious and democracy advocacy, placed on trial without defense, and imprisoned, more than once. On behalf of Father Ly, again, we ask that you unconditionally release him from prison. On behalf of the countless others who continue to face severe criticism, abuse, harsh prison sentences, and uncertainly due to religious, political, and/or personal convictions, we ask that the government of Vietnam honor its commitment to international human rights standards and respect the rights and freedoms of the people of Vietnam. Signed by Members of Congress Christopher H. Smith, Loretta Sanchez (authors), Anh (Joseph) Cao, Zoe Lofgren, Frank Wolf, Edward Royce ###################################################### His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Embassy of Vietnam 1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Sáu Dân Biểu Hoa Kỳ Yêu Cầu Nhà Cầm Quyền VN Trả Tự Do Lm Nguyễn Văn Lý Hoa Thịnh Đốn ngày 19 tháng 11, 2009 Ủy Ban Tự Do Tôn Giáo Cho Việt Nam (CRFV) Sáu dân cử hạ viện Hoa Kỳ gồm: DB Chris Smith, DB Loretta Sanchez, DB Joseph Cao Quang Anh, DB Zoe Lofgren, DB Frank Wolf và DB Ed Royce đồng ký trên lá thư chung gởi thủ tướng CSVN Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, đòi nhà cầm quyền VN phải trả tự do cho Lm Nguyễn Văn Lý ngay lập tức và vô điều kiện. Chúng tôi xin tạm dịch bức thư chung và kèm trong file attached bức thư nguyên văn. Quốc Hội Hoa KỲ Hạ Nghị Viện Washington, DC 20515 Ngày 19 tháng 11, 2009 Kính gởi Ngài Nguyễn Tấn Dũng Thủ Tướng Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam Qua tòa đại sứ Việt Nam 1233 đường 20th , NW. #400 Washington, DC 20036 Thưa Thủ Tướng, Chúng tôi vừa được báo cáo là Lm Nguyễn Văn Lý bị tai biến mạch máu não lần thứ hai vào ngày 14 tháng 11, 2009. Chúng tôi cũng được biết Lm Lý đang được điều trị tại Hà Nội và gia đình Lm chỉ được hiện diện giới hạn để giúp Lm Lý những nhu cầu cần thiết. Trước tình trạng khủng hoảng sức khỏe này, chúng tôi khẩn thiết yêu cầu chính phủ Việt Nam trả tự do vô điều kiện cho Lm Lý; người mà chúng tôi tin là một tù nhân lương tâm trên căn bản đạo đức. Chính phủ phải cung ứng trị liệu cho Lm Lý tức thời, cũng như dài hạn. Gia đình của Lm Lý phải được tự do hiện diện để hổ trợ tinh thần, thể chất, cũng như giáo luật trong giai đoạn khó khăn này của Lm Nguyễn Văn Lý. Mấy ngày vừa qua, ngày 10 tháng 11, 2009, đại diện chính phủ Việt Nam đã gặp các viên chức thuộc Bộ Ngoại Giao Hoa Kỳ về vấn đề nhân quyền giữa hai quốc gia. Trường hợp Lm Nguyễn Văn Lý đã được đưa ra trong cuộc thảo luận và luôn là mối quan tâm sâu sắc của các DB, TNS và chính phủ Hoa Kỳ. Lm Nguyễn Văn Lý là một trong số nhiều công dân Việt Nam đã bị đàn áp vì lý do tranh đấu cho tự do tôn giáo và dân chủ. Ông đã bị đưa ra tòa không có luật sư biện hộ, bị nhốt tù nhiều lần. Thay mặt Lm Nguyễn Văn Lý, một lần nửa, chúng tôi đòi hỏi quí ông phải trả tự do cho Lm Lý. Cũng thay mặt cho vô số nạn nhân đang bị khắc nghiệt phê phán, ngược đãi, phải chịu đựng những án tù nặng nề, có khi là vô hạn định vì tôn giáo, chính kiến, cũng như những lý do cá nhân, chúng tôi đòi hỏi chính phủ Việt Nam tôn trọng lời cam kết của quí chính phủ với căn bản nhân quyền quốc tế và phải tôn trọng quyền làm người và tự do của người dân tại Việt Nam. Trân trọng, 6 Chữ ký của Christopher Smith, Loretta Sanchez Anh (Joseph) Cao, Zoe Lofgren Frank Wolf, Edward Royce   more »

Members of U.S House of Representatives again demand for Rev. Ly to be released Dân biểu Mỹ lại đòi thả linh mục Lý Rev Nguyen Van Ly suffered from stroke twice within this year Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý đã bị đột quỵ hai lần trong năm nay A group of six members of U.S. House of Representatives again sent a letter to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requesting for the release of dissident priest Nguyen Van Ly. Một nhóm sáu dân biểu Hoa Kỳ lại gửi thư cho Thủ tướng Nguyễn Tấn Dũng yêu cầu trả tự do cho linh mục bất đồng chính kiến Nguyễn Văn Lý. Mr. Ly has been hospitalized following the second stroke which resulted in half body paralysis. Up to now, it is informed that his health situation has got some improvement. Ông Lý vừa phải nhập viện sau khi liệt nửa người vì tai biến mạch máu não lần thứ hai trong năm. Tới nay, được tin sức khỏe ông đã tiến triển tốt hơn. The letter signed by Representatives Christopher Smith, Loretta Sanchez, Cao Quang Anh, Zoe Lofgren, Frank Wolf and Edward Royce dated 11/19/2009 notes: “We’ve received concerning information that Rev Nguyen Van Ly has got the second stroke on 11/14/2009”. Bức thư có chữ ký của các dân biểu Christopher Smith, Loretta Sanchez, Cao Quang Ánh, Zoe Lofgren, Frank Wolf và Edward Royce đề ngày 19/11/2009 viết: "Chúng tôi nhận được thông tin gây quan ngại, rằng linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý bị đột quỵ lần thứ hai hôm 14/11/2009". OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL BBC ARTICLE AND TRANSLATION   more »

2009-11-18 Rev. Nguyen Van Ly, the well known dissident who is serving an 8-year sentence term imposed by the Hanoi government in 2007, has just been hospitalized due to stroke. Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý, nhân vật bất đồng chính kiến được nhiều người biết đến hiện trong thời gian thụ án 8 năm tù giam do chính quyền Hà Nội tuyên hồi năm 2007, nhưng nay phải nhập viện do bị tai biến mạch máu não. Freedom Now has initiated an international campaign to appeal to the Vietnam government for releasing Rev. Nguyen Van Ly. Previously, Freedom Now had carried out a successful campaign to appeal to the Vietnam government for releasing Dr. Pham Hong Son, and so far the organization has listed Rev. Nguyen Van Ly as an imprisoned dissident needs to be released. Freedom Now, based in Washington, D. C., is one of the human rights organizations who are carrying on campaigns to appeal the Vietnam government to release Rev. Nguyen Van Ly. Reporter Gia Minh has interviewed Lawyer Marian Turner, Executive Director of Freedom Now for information relating to Rev. Nguyen Van Ly who is represented by this organization abroad. Freedom Now mở chiến dịch vận động dư luận quốc tế, kêu gọi chính quyền Việt Nam trả tự do cho Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý. Freedom Now từng tiến hành chiến dịch kêu gọi chính quyền Việt Nam trả tự do cho Bác sĩ Phạm Hồng Sơn trước đây, và lâu nay cũng đưa tên Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý vào danh sách những nhà đấu tranh trên thế giới đang bị giam cầm cần được trả tự do. Trong thời gian qua nhiều tổ chức theo dõi nhân quyền có những vận động để chính quyền Việt Nam trả tự do cho Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý, một trong những tổ chức đó có Freedom Now, trụ sở tại thủ đô Washington, Hoa Kỳ. Gia Minh hỏi chuyện Luật sư Marian Turner, Giám đốc điều hành của Freedom Now, về thông tin liên quan đến trường hợp của Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý mà tổ chức này đang đại diện ở nước ngoài. Concerning on Father Ly’s health situation Gia Minh: As an overseas representative of Rev. Nguyen Van Ly, apparently, Freedom Now must have known that his health situation has been deteriorating during recent months, so, what has Freedom Now done to support him in that respect? Quan ngại về sức khỏe LM Lý Gia Minh: Là tổ chức đại diện cho quyền lợi của LM Nguyễn Văn Lý tại nước ngoài, thì hẳn nhiên Freedom Now biết rằng tình trạng sức khỏe của ông trong mấy tháng qua đã xấu đi, vậy Freedom Now đã có những trợ giúp gì cho ông trong lĩnh vực đó? Marian Turner: As you know, Freedom now has been representing Father Ly and demanding his freedom from the Vietnam Government because he was arrested and sentenced against international laws and unfairly in Vietnam. LS Marian Turner: Như ông biết đó, Freedom Now lâu nay đại diện cho cha Lý và tìm cách yêu cầu chính quyền Việt Nam trả tự do cho ông bởi ông bị giam cầm không theo đúng luật pháp quốc tế, bị ở tù một cách bất công ở Việt Nam. We are very concerned about the health situation of Rev. Nguyen Van Ly, and continuing to appeal to and urging the Vietnam government to release him immediately. Chúng tôi rất quan ngại cho tình hình sức khỏe của LM Nguyễn Văn Lý, và tiếp tục kêu gọi và thúc đẩy chính quyền Việt Nam trả tự do ngay lập tức cho ông. LS Mairan Turner Recently, relating to his health condition, we have done our best effort to demand his freedom on humanitarian grounds. OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL INTERVIEW AND TRANSLATION   more »

Last Saturday, Rev Nguyen Van Ly, a prisoner of conscience in Vietnam who was transferred to the Hospital 18/9 had symptoms of stroke in the prison of Ba Sao, Nam Ha Province. Một tù nhân lương tâm ở Việt Nam, Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý, đã được chuyển vào bệnh viện 18 tháng Chín, vì có triệu chứng đột quị vào sáng sớm thứ Bảy tuần trước trong trại tù Ba Sao, Nam Hà. Initial diagnosis showed that Rev Nguyen Van Ly has had brain blood vessel blockage. Before that, Mrs Hieu, Rev Ly’s relative informed that a nephew of Rev Ly was allowed to stay in the hospital to take care of him. Chẩn đoán ban đầu cho thấy linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý bị nghẽn mạch máu não. Trước đó , bà Hiểu, một thân nhân của cha Lý, cho biết một người cháu trong gia đình được phép ở lại bệnh viện để chăm sóc cha Lý. On Tuesday, during a conversation with Do Hieu, RFA’s reporter, Mr. Hoang, another nephew of Rev Ly updated: Nói chuyện với phóng viên Đỗ Hiếu đài Á Châu Tự Do vào buổi tối thứ Ba, một người cháu khác của cha Nguyễn Văn Lý là ông Hoàng cho biết tin mới nhất: “Last Saturday, at 4:00AM, Father Ly was found half body paralyzed, but his mind was still alert. He could talk. His mouth was not distorted. Only his right arm and leg were affected. Upon diagnostic result, the prison’s management decided to transfer him to the Police’s Hospital 18/9. “Ngài bị hôm thứ Bảy, 4 giờ sáng , sau khi họ phát hiện được thì bị liệt nửa người, nhưng mà đầu óc vẫn tỉnh táo, vẫn nói chuyện được, không bị méo miệng , chỉ có tay với chân bên phải bị thôi. Họ khám thấy vậy thì họ quyết định đưa ra ngoài bệnh viện 18 tháng 9 của Bộ Công An. At the hospital, he was taken care of and cured. Before I got in, he could lift his leg off the bed surface by about 20cm by himself. It was the same with his right arm. There was some progress compared to the day before when he was weaker. Up to now, he was injected with serum every day. He was seen by the head doctor, and there are injection and drugs supplied by nurse every day. Ra đó họ đã chăm sóc và cứu chữa. Đến hôm nay, trước khi tôi vào thì Ngài đã tự nhấc chân lên khỏi mặt giường cỡ hơn 20 phân, tay phải cũng vậy. Thấy là có tiến triển, hôm qua thì yếu hơn. Đến bây giờ mỗi ngày họ chuyền nước biển, bác sĩ trưởng khoa đã tới khám, y sĩ thì mỗi ngày tới chích và cho uống thuốc . I see that the hospital has made their best effort to cure him. Currently, he stays in a private room with five guards on duty. His spirit is optimistic. He talks humorously and eats and drinks normally. He expresses gratitude to all relatives and friends who have been considering and caring about him.” Thấy cách đó thì họ cũng tận tình cứu chữa. Hiện tại ngài ở đó thì có phòng riêng, có 5 người công an canh gác. Tinh thần ngài thì vẫn lạc quan vui vẻ, cũng nói chuyện cưới tếu vậy, ăn uống thì được. Ngài cám ơn tất cả bà con bạn hữu đã quan tâm lo lắng cho ngài.” In 2007, Rev Nguyen Van Ly was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment and five years under surveillance by the Vietnam Trial because of his appeal for religious freedom which is considered as propagandizing against the government. Năm 2007, linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý bị toà Việt nam tuyên án tám năm tù và năm năm quản chế vì lời kêu gọi tự do tôn giáo , một hành động bị coi là tuyên truyền chống phá nhà nước. Copyright © 1998-2009 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved.   more »

Rev. Nguyên Van Ly Has Stroke Resulting in Half Body Paralysis Linh Mục Nguyễn Văn Lý đột quị liệt nửa người RFA-11-16-2009 Last night on November 14, Rev. Nguyen Van Ly, the prisoner of conscience, imprisoned at the Ba Sao Prison, Nam Ha Province got a stroke resulting in half his body paralyzed. According to initial diagnosis, it was a brain blood vessel blockage. Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý, người tù lương tâm bị giam tại trại tù Ba Sao Nam Hà đã bị đột quị và bị liệt nửa người vào tối 14/11 vừa qua. Hiện nay linh mục đang được điều trị tại một bệnh viện ở Hà Nội. Chẩn đóan ban đầu là nghẽn mạch máu não. According to Freedom Now, a human rights organization based in Maryland, USA, on November 14, at night time, Rev. Nguyen Van Ly got a stroke while kneeling praying. This is the second time within this year which Father Ly got a stroke resulting in the right half of his body paralyzed. Theo tổ chức nhân quyền Freedom Now trụ sở ở Bang Maryland Hoa Kỳ sự việc xảy ra vào tối 14/11, linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý đã bị đột quị trong lúc đang quì và cầu nguyện. Đây là lần thứ hai trong năm nay linh mục Lý bị đột quị, dẫn tới hậu quả ngài bị liệt nửa người bên phải. His relatives were allowed to visit and supply him with food and clothes. However he was put under tightened guard. Thân nhân của linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý được phép vào thăm mang theo thức ăn và quần áo cho ông. Tuy nhiên linh mục bị nhân viên an ninh canh chừng nghiêm ngặt. Rev. Nguyên Van Ly, 63 years old is a prisoner of conscience. He has been protesting ceaselessly for religious freedom and human rights in Vietnam. It is due to those activities that he was extorted and arrested several times. In the last event on March 30, 2007, the Hue trial sentenced him for eight years of imprisonment and 5 years under surveillance. He was charged of propagandizing against the government. The image of Rev. Nguyen Van Ly with his mouth covered by a police in order to keep him silence at the trial has been publicized all over the world except in Vietnam. While serving his term at Ba Sao Prison, Rev. Nguyen Van Ly was often kept under solitary confinement, and constrained from relatives’ visit. Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý 63 tuổi là người tù lương tâm, tranh đấu không ngừng cho tự do tôn giáo, dân chủ và nhân quyền tại Việt Nam. Vì những họat động vừa nói linh mục bị sách nhiễu và giam cầm nhiều lần. Trong sự kiện sau cùng, ngày 30/3/2007 Tòa án Huế đã kết án ngài 8 năm tù giam và 5 năm quản chế, linh mục bị áp đặt tội tuyên truyền chống phá nhà nước. Hình ảnh linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý bị công an kẹp cổ bịt miệng không cho lên tiếng tại tòa án, đã được phổ biến trên tòan thế giới ngoại trừ Việt Nam. Trong thời gian thụ án ở trại giam Ba Sao Nam Hà, linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý thường xuyên bị biệt giam, thân nhân bị hạn chế thăm viếng. On July 01, 2009, a group of 37 U.S. senators led by Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer from California and Republic Senator Sam Brownback from Kansas, requested the Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet to release Rev. Nguyen Van Ly. The U.S. Senators emphasized serious shortcomings happening during the process of arresting, trying and sentencing Rev. Nguyen Van Ly. Ngày 1/7/2009, nhóm 37 nghị sĩ lưỡng đảng Thượng Nghị Viện Hoa Kỳ, lãnh đạo bởi nghị sĩ Barbara Boxer thuộc đảng Dân Chủ đơn vị California và nghị sĩ Sam Brownback thuộc đảng Cộng Hòa đơn vị Kansas, đã yêu cầu Chủ Tịch Việt Nam Nguyễn Minh Triết trả tự do cho linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý. Các nghị sĩ lưỡng đảng của Hoa Kỳ nhấn mạnh tới những sai sót nghiêm trọng trong tiến trình bắt giữ, xét xử và kết án linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý. The RFA Vietnamese Services are trying to contact Rev. Nguyen Van Ly’s relatives and will update our audience as early as possible   more »

The People's Democratic Party dangdanchunhandan@yahoo.com http://dangdcnd.blogspot.com/ URGENT NEWS: Vu Hung, Jailed Dissident’s Life Is In Danger November, 5, 2009 - Vu Hung, a teacher and pro-democracy activist has been on hunger strike since October 7, 2009 after Hanoi authorities sentenced Hung to three years’s imprisonment and three year of “house arrest”. His life is in danger due to serious illness and month-long hunger strike. On Wednesday November 4, 2009, his wife Mrs. Ly Thi Tuyet Mai came to visit him at New Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi, she was told Vu Hung was no longer available to see her. But reliable sources told her, due to his health has deteriorated rapidly, fearing Vu Hung’s life is in danger, the prison guards have rushed him to the hospital. Ha noi authorities charged Vu Hung and many other pro-democracy activists as writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, student Ngo Quynh, Mr. Pham Van Troi, poet Tran Duc Thach, Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh on recent trials in Ha Noi and Hai Phong to violate of Vietnam criminal code, Article 88 for “propagating materials to against the state”. In fact, Hung only hanged the below banner in Hanoi on July 28, 2008, calling for “Democracy, Multi-Party System and Anti-Corruption” in Vietnam. ********************************************************************************* OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL TEXT IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Tin Khẩn: Tính Mạng Thầy Vũ Hùng Đang Bị Nguy Hiểm Ngày 5 tháng 11 năm 2009 - Thầy giáo Vũ Hùng, một người tranh đấu cho dân chủ hiện đang trong tình trang nguy hiểm vì đã tuyệt thực kể từ ngày 7 tháng 10 năm 2009 sau khi nhà cầm quyền Hà Nội đã tuyên án ông 3 năm tù và 3 năm quản chế. Hôm thứ tư, ngày 4 tháng 11 năm 2009, bà Lý Thị Tuyết Mai, vợ của Vũ Hùng đã bị từ chối gặp chồng sau khi bà đến trại giam Hoả Lò nhằm thăm viếng Vũ Hùng. Trại giam cho biết ông Hùng không muốn gặp bà, nhưng các nguồn tin thân cận tiết lộ là Vũ Hùng đang trong tình trạng nguy kịch vì tuyệt thực và đã bị công an đưa ra khỏi trại giam. Nhà cầm quyền Hà nội đã tuyên án và cáo buộc thầy giáo Vũ Hùng và nhiều nhà tranh đấu cho dân chủ khác như nhà văn Nguyễn Xuân Nghĩa, sinh viên Ngô Quỳnh, anh Phạm Văn Trội, nhà thơ Trần Đức Thạch, ông Nguyễn Văn Tính tội danh “tuyên truyền chống nhà nước” phạm tội 88, bộ luật hình sự nước Việt Nam. Trên thực tế, thầy giáo Vũ Hùng bị trấn áp vì đã dám treo bảng hiệu đòi “Dân Chủ, Đa Đảng và Chống Tham Nhũng” ngay tại Hà Nội hôm 28 tháng 7 năm 2008. Trần Nam Phát ngôn nhân Đảng Dân Chủ Nhân Dân.   more »

Kính chuyển, vì có đoạn nói về CSVN. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 2009 USCIRF Comment on State Dept. Religious Freedom Report WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes today’s release of the first International Religious Freedom Report of the Obama administration, and urges the prompt designation of “countries of particular concern” (CPCs) as well as implementation of targeted policies on those countries. ... The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) requires the State Department to undertake an annual review of every country to “determine whether the government of that country has engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” Any country meeting that threshold is to be designated a “country of particular concern,” and the U.S. government is required to take action to encourage improvements in each CPC country. IRFA provides a range of possibilities for such action, from negotiating a bilateral agreement to sanctions. “Both Democratic and Republican administrations have underutilized the ‘country of particular concern’ designation,” said Mr. Leo. “As documented in this first report under the Obama administration, religious freedoms are aggressively repressed in the nations that have been designated as CPC countries. But the facts outlined in the report demonstrate just as clearly that countries such as Pakistan and Vietnam meet the CPC statutory requirements and should be so designated.” USCIRF commissioners met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in June regarding USCIRF’s continuing recommendation that she designate as CPCs the following 13 countries: Burma, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. USCIRF also recommended that stronger actions be taken against the eight countries currently listed as CPCs by the State Department: Burma, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, People’s Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan. ............... A USCIRF delegation traveled to Vietnam in May 2009 and came away concerned about the level of police harassment of independent religious activity. USCIRF found the continued detention of religious prisoners of concern and coordinated government policies designed to suppress the growth of certain Buddhist, Hoa Hao, and Protestant groups, as evidence that Vietnam should be designated as a CPC. Since USCIRF returned, there have been detentions of Protestant religious leaders, police raids on Protestant churches and Buddhist monasteries, evictions of monks from monasteries, and violence used to dispel peaceful Catholic prayer vigils at disputed properties. “No more excuses can be made by the administration for not designating Vietnam as a CPC,” said Michael Cromartie, USCIRF Vice Chair. “There is clear evidence of severe religious freedom restrictions and the CPC designation worked in the past to bring out tangible change without hindering other bilateral interests.” USCIRF’s own assessments are presented in greater detail in our 2009 Annual Report, available at http://www.uscirf.gov. ********************************************************************************* OPEN FOR FULL ARTICLE AND VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION BY LE MINH (SYDNEY)   more »

H. RES. 672 Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release imprisoned bloggers and respect Internet freedom. ___________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Honorables LORETTA SANCHEZ and ZOE LOFGREN of California submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _____________ RESOLUTION Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release imprisoned bloggers and respect Internet freedom. Whereas the Internet is a tool to exercise freedom of expression and association, both of which are basic human rights; Whereas the Internet is a medium to share information freely, promote social and economic development, and connect Vietnamese citizens domestically and internationally; Whereas the Government of Vietnam created the Administration Agency for Radio, Television and Electronics Information in October 2008 and issued Circular 07 in December 2008 to restrict Internet freedom, censor private blogs, and compel information technology companies to cooperate with government efforts to monitor personal information of Internet users; Whereas the Government of Vietnam has imprisoned bloggers and numerous democracy activists who have distributed their peaceful views over the Internet; Whereas the Government of Vietnam continues to firewall external websites promoting democracy and human rights; and Whereas these actions violate individuals’ right to freedom of speech and expression: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the right of Vietnamese citizens to access websites of their choosing and to have the freedom to share and publish information over the Internet; (2) calls on the Government of Vietnam to repeal Circular 07, Article 88, and similar statutes that restrict the Internet, so as to be in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory; (3) calls on the Government of Vietnam to be come a responsible member state of the international community by respecting individuals’ freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of political association; and (4) calls on the Government of Vietnam to release all political prisoners, including but not limited to the following bloggers and cyber activists— (A) Le Cong Dinh; (B) Le Nguyen Sang; (C) Le Thi Cong Nhan; (D) Nguyen Van Hai (Dieu Cay); (E) Nguyen Xuan Nghia; (F) Ngo Quynh; (G) Nguyen Ngoc Quang; (H) Nguyen Thi Hong; (I) Nguyen Van Dai; (J) Pham Ba Hai; (K) Pham Thanh Nghien; (L) Pham Van Troi; (M) Tran Huynh Duy Thuc; (N) Truong Minh Duc; (O) Truong Quoc Huy; (P) Vu Hoang Hai; (Q) Nguyen Tien Trung; and (R) Vu Hung.   more »

Nghị Quyết 672 về Internet Freedom đòi hỏi CSVN phải tôn trọng quyền tự do internet đã được thông qua tại Hạ Viện QH Hoa Kỳ, nhờ vào sự vận động của Viet Kieu tại Hoa Kỳ October 21, 2009 Contact: Duy Hoang +1 (202) 470-0845 Viet Tan applauds passage of U.S. legislation supporting internet freedom in Vietnam Following show trials in Vietnam that saw the imprisonment of nine democracy and cyber activists, Viet Tan applauds the passage of H. Res 672, which calls on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release imprisoned bloggers and respect Internet freedom. With overwhelming bipartisan support, Congress stands with human rights supporters and digital activists who seek to promote freedom of information and expression in Vietnam. Since 2007, a systemic campaign against free speech by Vietnamese authorities has seen press freedoms curtailed, prominent journalists and bloggers arrested, and an overall crackdown on those who dare to speak out. Listed on the dishonor roll by the Committee to Protect Journalists as one of the “10 Worst Countries for Bloggers,” Hanoi is known for its repression of political dissent. However, with over 24 million citizen now turning to the Internet, the regime has stepped up its censorship of the web. Vital to Vietnam’s development, the Internet has the power to transform Vietnamese society, and in many ways it already has. In the absence of an independent media, citizens have turned to the Internet to follow the news and debate national issues. In addition to being a source of information, the Internet is also a potent organizing tool. While Hanoi continues to severely restrict freedom of association, de facto organizations in the form of social networks, discussion forums and issue-specific clubs are active online. Earlier this month, the Vietnamese authorities sentenced nine democracy activists who used the Internet to organize to a total of 59 years of imprisonment and probation. It is becoming increasingly clear that the walls used by the Hanoi regime to isolate and control the people are increasingly electronic rather than physical. By passing H. Res 672 today, the U.S. Congress sends a strong message to the Vietnamese Communist Party that arbitrarily stifling essential freedoms of expression and information is unacceptable. Viet Tan wishes to recognize the leadership of Representative Loretta Sanchez and the 21 Members of Congress who co-sponsored the Vietnam internet freedom resolution. The efforts of the United States government and other democracies are crucial in protecting and advancing free expression. As part of Viet Tan’s Internet freedom campaign, we will continue working with the international community and activists in Vietnam to: · Challenge legal statutes restricting freedom of expression · Urge technology companies not to give into Internet censorship demands · Support imprisoned bloggers and cyber activists ### -- Angelina Do Viet Tan www.viettan.org The mission of Viet Tan is to overcome dictatorship, build the foundation for a sustainable democracy, and demand justice and human rights for the Vietnamese people through nonviolent struggle based on civic participation.   more »

Statement in Support of H. Res. 672 Hon. Zoe Lofgren Wednesday, October 21, 2009 I rise today in support of H.Res. 672, a bill which I am proud to cosponsor. Introduced by my good friend, colleague, and co-chair of the Vietnam Caucus, Representative Loretta Sanchez, this legislation calls on the Vietnamese government to respect internet freedom and to release a number of jailed pro-democracy activists. I am deeply concerned about Vietnam’s human rights record, which shows no signs of improving. Just last month at its United Nations Universal Periodic Review, Vietnam rejected 45 recommendations from member states, including the release of peaceful prisoners of conscience and to lift internet and blogging controls and prohibitions on privately-owned media. This situation is unacceptable. We need to send a message to the Vietnamese government that the United States Congress does not condone its repression of free speech and democracy. Using anti-propaganda laws to silence opposition and maintain one-party control is not democracy and should not be tolerated. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.   more »

Banned, Censored, Harassed, and Jailed Six Vietnamese Writers Receive Hellman/Hammett Grants ( New York , October 13, 2009) – Six Vietnamese writers are among a diverse group of 37 writers from 19 countries to receive the prestigious Hellman/Hammett award this year, Human Rights Watch said today. The award honors their commitment to free expression and their courage in the face of political persecution. All are writers and activists whose work and activities have been suppressed. Beyond what they experienced themselves, they represent numerous other writers and journalists whose personal and professional lives have been disrupted as a result of repressive government policies governing speech and publications. “Honoring these writers shines a spotlight on the Vietnam that many people in the world do not see,” said Elaine Pearson , deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “This is a place where the government harshly suppresses peaceful dissent, free speech, independent media, and open access to the internet, and does everything it can to silence its critics.” This year’s prize winners from Vietnam include: * A blogger imprisoned for his hard-hitting postings calling for democratic reforms; * Several writers affiliated with To Quoc (Fatherland), an underground dissident bulletin; * A Buddhist monk who spent 26 years in prison for his religious beliefs and his writings; * A former People’s Army officer turned poet and critic; and * An ethnic Tay writer from northern Vietnam who was dismissed from the Vietnamese Communist Party after it became known he supported the democracy movement. Two of this year’s awardees, Pham Thanh Nghien and Tran Anh Kim, are in prison, awaiting trial for their pro-democracy activities and writings. Scores of government critics have been arrested and jailed in Vietnam over the past year. In early October 2009, courts in Hanoi and Haiphong sentenced nine dissidents to prison, including the well-known writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, recipient of the 2008 Hellman/Hammett award. Another Hellman/Hammett recipient, the novelist and human rights activist Tran Khai Thanh Thuy – who was imprisoned for nine months in 2007 – was roughed up and detained by the police on October 8, after she tried to attend the trials of fellow dissidents In Hanoi and Haiphong . OPEN ARTICLE for MORE (English). See attachment for Vietnamese translation.    more »

The People's Democratic Party http://dangdcnd.blogspot.com/ dangdanchunhandan@yahoo.com October 9, 2009 For Immediate Release On October 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2009, the Hanoi authorities have tried these pro-democracy activists including writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, Mr. Ngo Quynh, Mr. Nguyen Manh Son, Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuc, Mr. Nguyen Kim Nhan in Hai Phong and Mr. Pham Van Troi, teacher Vu Hung and poet Tran Duc Thach in Ha Noi, Vietnam. All were imprisoned with various sentences from 2 to 6 years in jail for the fabricated and arbitrary charges of the so-called “violation of Article 88 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code”. The above individuals have committed no crimes. They were only exercising their rights to freedom of expression by peaceful means. Vietnam is a member of the UN Commission on Human Rights in which the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 19, clearly protects the right of the individual to "seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, or through any other media of his or her choice". In addition, according to Article 9 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile," and The Socialist Republic of Vietnam's Constitution itself declares the "right of freedom expression, right of freedom press, right of freedom exchange information and right to form an association and right to demonstration" in article 69. However, the Vietnam Communist Party has ignored these basic human rights, continued to crackdown and used harsh sentences to silence pro-democracy activists. The People’s Democratic Party strongly condemns the trials and sentencing, staged by the Vietnamese Communist Party. We call upon our members and the Vietnamese people at home and abroad to continue fighting for Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy for Vietnam. Regards, Tran, Nam Spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Party   more »

UA: 276/09 Index: ASA 41/008/2009 Issue Date: 09 October 2009 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGENT ACTION PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE SENTENCED Vu Hung, a male teacher and pro-democracy activist, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for “conducting propaganda” against the state after a three-hour trial. He was arrested on 18 September 2008, after calling for democracy and peacefully protesting over a territory dispute with China. Vu Hung is a prisoner of conscience. On 7 October, a court in the Vietnamese capital Ha Noi sentenced Vu Hung to three years’ imprisonment and three years’ probation, or house arrest, on release. Vu Hung is reported to have said at the trial: “I just want to contribute my little voice to make society better.” In May 2009, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that his detention was arbitrary. On 18 September 2008, law enforcement officials arrested Vu Hung and he was charged under Article 88 of the Penal Code, for “conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam”. In the months immediately after his arrest, Vu Hung was repeatedly beaten during interrogations and went on hunger-strike in protest. He was taken to a Ministry of Public Security hospital on several occasions when his health had deteriorated. Concerns for his health and welfare increased when his whereabouts in the prison were unknown for more than two months in late 2008 and early 2009. His current place of detention and his state of health are unknown. OPEN ARTICLE FOR VIETNAMESE TEXT AND FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 19 NOVEMBER 2009 TO: Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1 Ton That Dam Street Ba Dinh district, Ha Noi Viet Nam Fax: + 8443 823 1872 Email: bc.mfa@mofa.gov.vn Salutation: Dear Minister Minister of Public Security Le Hong Anh Ministry of Public Security 44 Yet Kieu Street Ha Noi Viet Nam Fax: + 8443 942 0223 Salutation: Dear Minister Also send copies to diplomatic representatives of Viet Nam accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the first update of UA 18/09 (ASA 41/001/2009). Further information: www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA41/001/2009/en Working to protect human rights worldwide   more »

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGENT ACTION UA: 270/09 Index: ASA 41/007/2009 Issue Date: 08 October 2009 VIETNAMESE PRISONER HELD INCOMMUNICADO Nguyen Hoang Hai, a male prisoner of conscience who blogged under the name Dieu Cay, has been transferred to a remote prison in Viet Nam and denied visitors for several months. No-one has heard from him during that time, and police have warned his family against speaking publicly. He is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. Nguyen Hoang Hai, aged 57, was arrested in April 2008 and sentenced the following September to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for tax fraud. The charges against him are believed to be politically motivated. He had been interrogated 15 times before officers from the Internal Security and Counter-Espionage Department of the Ministry of Public Security arrested him. In May 2009, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention deemed his detention arbitrary, with no basis under international law. Nguyen Hoang Hai is the co- founder of the independent Free Vietnamese Journalists' Club, formed in 2007, and has written articles critical of China’s foreign policies. He also took part in a peaceful protest before the Olympic Torch passed through Ho Chi Minh City in April 2008. He publicly criticized policies of the Vietnamese government before his arrest and spoke out for human rights in Viet Nam in his blogs. In April 2009, Nguyen Hoang Hai was transferred to Cai Tau prison, at the southern-most tip of Viet Nam, and more than nine hours' journey from his home in Ho Chi Minh City. According to sources in Viet Nam, Nguyen Hoang Hai’s family has been refused permission to visit him since June 2009. No-one has heard from Nguyen Hoang Hai in recent months. Prison conditions in Viet Nam are generally harsh, and provision of health care is limited. Some political prisoners are held incommunicado and therefore vulnerable to ill-treatment and torture. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Freedom of expression and association is strictly controlled in Viet Nam. Dissidents who are critical of government policies and speak out about human rights violations face a range of sanctions to silence them. These include surveillance by local police, restrictions on movement, interference with home utilities such as phone lines and internet access, arbitrary questioning and detention by police, arrest and imprisonment. There are also cases where authorities have used arbitrary detention in mental health institutions against outspoken critics and activists. At least 30 dissidents have been handed down long prison sentences, since a series of arrests began in 2006 after a short-lived period of tolerance to increased web-based activism challenging the government. Another wave of arrests began in May 2009. At least 12 dissidents are held in pre-trial detention. The law enforcement agencies arbitrarily use provisions in the national security section of the Penal Code to stifle and criminalize peaceful dissent, in breach of international human rights treaties that Viet Nam has ratified. Restrictions and regulations on internet use penalize freedom of expression on topics deemed sensitive, including human rights and advocacy of democracy. Recent regulations on blogging enacted in December 2008 restrict content to personal matters, and prohibit dissemination of anti-government material, and “undermining national security”. PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY, in English, Vietnamese or your own language: Calling on the authorities to allow Nguyen Hoang Hai immediate access to his family, lawyer and any medical treatment he may need; Urging that he is not tortured or ill-treated in detention; Demanding that the authorities release Nguyen Hoang Hai immediately and unconditionally. PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 19 NOVEMBER 2009 TO: Minister of Public Security Le Hong Anh Ministry of Public Security 44 Yet Kieu Street Ha Noi VIET NAM Fax: + 844 3942 0223 Salutation: Dear Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1 Ton That Dam Street Ba Dinh District Ha Noi VIET NAM Fax: + 844 3823 1872 Email: bc.mfa@mofa.gov.vn Salutation: Dear Minister   more »

East Asia and the Pacific: Remarks With Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem After Their Meeting Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:33:00 -0500 Remarks With Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem After Their Meeting Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC October 1, 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECRETARY CLINTON: Hello. Well, it was a pleasure to welcome Deputy Prime Minister Khiem to the State Department. I want to start by expressing the deepest sympathy of the United States for the loss of life and destruction of property caused across so many countries through the impact of Typhoon Ketsana. And as I told Minister Khiem, we stand ready to assist the people of Vietnam as they recover from this tragedy, just as we are working with the victims of the earthquakes, of the tsunamis. There have been a number of natural disasters that have caused great damage. I also reaffirmed to the minister the commitment of the United States to strengthen and deepen our relationship with Vietnam and the nations of Southeast Asia. We believe that this is a region vital to global progress, prosperity, and peace, and we are fully engaged with our partners in ASEAN on a wide range of challenges. Next year will mark the 15th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between our two countries. We can be proud of the progress we’ve made. I was very proud and am very fond of the memories of my own visit to Vietnam in 2000. Today, we had a productive discussion focused on many issues – we talked very fast – including our regular dialogues on security; trade; human rights, especially freedom of expression; humanitarian cooperation; natural disaster cooperation; the fact that Vietnam will be presiding over the Security Council this month, as well as chairing ASEAN in 2010. In the Security Council, we are working to advance nonproliferation, women’s rights, and other areas, and we’re going to work to deepen our already strong and growing economic ties. Last year, our two-way trade surpassed $15 billion. That is more than tenfold of an increase since our bilateral trade agreement went into effect in 2001. And the minister and I discussed areas where we’re going to expand our trade and economic cooperation. We will build on the work we did at the first Lower Mekong ministerial in Phuket, and there are many areas of not only bilateral but regional cooperation that we intend to explore. So again, Minister Khiem, thank you so much for being here. OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL TEXT, INCLUDING COMMENTS ABOUT IRAN AND NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION MR. KELLY: Thank you. QUESTION: Thank you. FOREIGN MINISTER KHIEM: Thank you. PRN: 2009/984   more »

Rev. Nguyen Van Ly has been Nominated as a Finalist for the 2009 Sakharov Prize LM Nguyễn Văn Lý được vào vòng chung kết giải thưởng Sakharov năm 2009 RFA 26.09.2009 Rev Nguyen Van Ly has been nominated as one of ten finalists of the 2009 Sakharov Prize for human rights Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý được đề nghị vào vòng chung kết 10 nhân sĩ đấu tranh cho tự do, dân chủ quan trọng nhất, lãnh giải thưởng Sakharov năm 2009. The committee for mobilizing this prize in the Germany revealed the above information in its communication released yesterday. Ủy ban vận động cho giải thưởng này tại Đức cho biết như vừa nêu trong thông cáo đưa ra ngày hôm qua. Rev. Nguyen Van Ly has been serving the sentence of 8 year imprisonment which was pronounced by the Hanoi Government, accusing him of propagandizing against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, violating article 88 of the Vietnam Penal Code. Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý hiện thọ án mới nhất 8 năm tù mà chính quyền Hà Nội tuyên cho ông về tội danh tuyên truyền chống nhà nước Cộng hòa Xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam, vi phạm điều 88 Bộ luật hình sự Việt Nam. It is noted that Sakharov Prize is awarded annually by the European Union Parliament in order to honor individuals or organizations for their efforts on behalf of human rights and fundamental freedoms and against oppression and injustice. Last year the prize was awarded to Hu Jia, who is a prominent human rights activist and dissident in the People's Republic of China. Xin phép được nhắc lại Giải thưởng Sakharov là giải thưởng hằng năm do Liên hiệp Châu Âu trao tặng . Hồi năm ngoái giải thưởng Sacharov được trao cho ông Hồ Giai ở Trung Quốc, nhà đấu tranh cho dân chủ và đòi hỏi quyền lợi cho người Tây Tạng ở Hoa Lục. Copyright © 1998-2009 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved. English translation by Faithful Follower for VietAm Review Detailed information in Vietnamese: http://thangtien.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4378&Itemid=311   more »

New Arrests of Peaceful Critics Show Vietnam Lacks Commitment to Protecting Human Rights ( New York , September 25, 2009) – The Vietnamese government has rejected and ignored recommendations to improve its deteriorating human rights record raised during the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review process that ended this week, Human Rights Watch said today. “Shockingly, Vietnam denied to the Human Rights Council that it has arrested and imprisoned hundreds of peaceful dissidents and independent religious activists,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Yet in just the four months since Vietnam ’s last appearance at the council, it has arrested scores more.” Despite abundant evidence to the contrary, Vietnam asserted during the Human Rights Council review process that it has no “so-called ‘prisoners of conscience’;” that no one is arrested for criticizing the government, only for violating Vietnam’s laws; that its national security laws “conform to international law;” and “there is no practice of torture or degrading treatment of law offenders and those under detention for investigative purposes.” In Vietnam ’s final report, adopted by the Human Rights Council on September 24 as part of a required review process for all UN member states, the Vietnamese government refused to seriously discuss or respond to many of the Human Rights Council’s recommendations. Instead, Vietnam rejected 45 recommendations from member states. These included proposals that the government lift internet and blogging controls and prohibitions on privately owned media; allow groups and individuals to promote human rights, express their opinions and publicly dissent; expedite local registration of religious organizations and equitable resolution of religious property disputes; take steps to abolish the death penalty; repeal or amend national security laws used to criminalize peaceful dissent, and release peaceful prisoners of conscience. Vietnam also refused to issue standing invitations to UN rights experts to visit Vietnam , including UN special rapporteurs on freedom of expression, religious freedom, torture, human rights defenders, and violence against women, and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. “ Vietnam – a member of the UN Security Council – has made a mockery of its engagement at the UN Human Rights Council,” said Pearson. “Vietnam rejected even the most benign recommendations based on the international covenants it has signed, such as allowing people to promote human rights or express their opinions.” Of the 93 recommendations accepted by the Vietnamese government, many consisted of only broad statements of intent to “consider” proposals by member states. Vietnam also claimed to have already carried out – or to be in the process of carrying out – recommended measures to ensure full respect of freedom of religion and to prevent violence and discrimination against ethnic minorities. “Like China , Vietnam has rebuffed the Human Rights Council in an effort to sanitize its abysmal rights record,” said Pearson. “The UN’s rights review offers proof to the world that despite international concern, Vietnam has no real intention of improving its record.” On the positive side, after the Human Rights Council’s interactive dialogue on Vietnam ’s rights review in May, the Vietnamese government reduced the number of crimes punishable by capital punishment. Dodging and Denial of Rights Abuses Vietnam, which sent 25 high-level officials from Hanoi to Geneva to lobby member states during the May dialogue, attempted to pad the speakers’ list with like-minded states whose representatives commended Vietnam ’s accomplishments in human rights and poverty reduction. The country’s final report stated that Cuba had praised Vietnam’s successes, “based in a system freely chosen by the people,” and its protection of the rights of ethnic minorities, while Sri Lanka had asserted that “Vietnam more than any other country has stood up for the human rights of its own people and throughout the world by fighting for national independence, freedom and social progress.” Vietnamese state television broadcast the first 20 minutes of the interactive dialogue, which included speeches by representatives of seven friendly states who lined up early, but the broadcast was terminated when Canada ’s representative, who was critical of Vietnam ’s rights record, rose to speak. At least 15 states, including the Czech Republic , which held the EU presidency at the time of the May dialogue, were unable to speak because of time restraints. Of the 60 states whose representatives did speak, a broad range of countries made strong recommendations, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States. Arbitrary Detentions Despite Vietnam ’s denials that it arbitrarily arrests and imprisons peaceful government critics, human rights defenders, political bloggers, and independent church activists, the government has arrested scores more since May. In August, for example, the Vietnamese state news agency reported that 27 people had been arrested for their alleged links to the Democratic Party of Vietnam, which like all parties in Vietnam other than the ruling Communist Party, is banned. Of those arrested, at least five – including the prominent rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh – have been prosecuted on national security charges. More than a dozen other dissidents and democracy activists arrested during the last year on national security charges await trial. Many of the recent arrests have taken place away from the public spotlight. On May 30, for example, police arrested a land rights activist, Huynh Ba, a member of the Khmer Krom ethnic minority who led protests of farmers in the Mekong Delta over confiscation of their farm land. Since his arrest, he has been held incommunicado in Soc Trang provincial prison. Since May, more than 30 Montagnard Christians belonging to independent house churches in Gia Lai province have been arrested, with some severely beaten, for holding unsanctioned prayer meetings in their homes. In addition, nine Montagnards were sentenced in recent months to prison terms of up to 12 years on national security charges, joining another 300 Montagnards imprisoned since 2001. “ Vietnam ’s ongoing arrests of peaceful dissidents and church activists – conducted even as the UN was evaluating its rights record – shows its flagrant disregard for its international human rights obligations,” said Pearson. “Member states should deliver a clear message to Vietnam that it needs to uphold its international rights commitments.” To read the May 2009 Human Rights Watch Universal Periodic Review submission on Vietnam , please visit: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/05/08/universal-periodic-review-submission-vietnam To read the September 2009 Human Rights Watch statement on the UPR Outcome Report of Vietnam, please visit: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/09/23/human-rights-watch-statement-upr-outcome-report-vietnam For more information, please contact: In London , Brad Adams (English): +44-20-7713-2767; or +44-7908-728-333 (mobile) In New York , Elaine Pearson (English): +1-212-216-1213; or +1-646-291-7169 (mobile) In Washington , DC , Sophie Richardson (English, Mandarin): +1-202-612-4341; or +1-917-721-7473 (mobile) OPEN ARTICLE FOR VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION BY LE MINH IN SIDNEY, AUSTRALIA   more »

Father Ly was allowed visitation in prison at Ba Sao due to arrangement with the Archbishop of Hue. Two priests visited him on 17 September 2009. His requests were to be able to practice his mission (say Mass) and to be allowed more family visits. This was agreed by the Vietnamese government. Father Ly also requested to have natural herbs and remedies brought to him by his family. He does not want special consideration for his health while so many others in prison are denied it. Thank you Faithful Follower for translation. Full text in Vietnamese: http://tiengnoitudodanchu.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8150   more »

********************************************************************* Vietnam Committee on Human Rights Quê Me : Action for Democracy in Vietnam BP 60063 – 94472 Boissy Saint Léger cedex – France Tel : +33 1 45 98 30 85 – Fax : +33 1 45 98 32 61 E-mail : queme@free.fr – Web : http://www.queme.net ********************************************************************* For immediate release Geneva, 24 September 2009 At the 12th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva: Vietnam scorns UN proposals for reform in Universal Periodic Review as dissidents await trial in Hanoi GENEVA, 24 September 2009 (VIETNAM COMMITTEE) - As the UN Human Rights Council met today to adopt the final report on the Universal Periodic Review of Vietnam, Mr Vo Van Ai, President of the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR), denounced Vietnam’s rejection of a host of essential measures proposed by UN member states to advance human rights, whilst pursuing a ruthless crackdown on peaceful protesters in Vietnam. “Today, the very day Vietnam appears before the Human Rights Council, a trial of eight pro-democracy activists including writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, student Ngo Quynh, Nguyen Manh Son, Nguyen Van Tinh, Nguyen Van Tuc, Nguyen Kim Nhan, Pham Van Troi and schoolmaster Vu Hung was to take place before the People’s Courts in Haiphong and Hanoi” said Mr. Vo Van Ai. Arrested in September 2008 for peacefully protesting China’s claims over the Spratly and Paracel Islands, several of the group have been declared victims of arbitrary detention by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. “By detaining these peaceful critics unlawfully for a year, and putting them on trial for “national security” violations, despite UN recommendations, Vietnam is flagrantly flaunting its international obligations to respect human rights”, he said. This trial, scheduled for today, was reportedly postponed at the very last minute, without any explanation. In an Oral Statement on behalf of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the VCHR, Mr. Vo Van Ai condemned Vietnam’s systematic refusal of 40 constructive recommendations, notably that of Canada and the USA “to repeal or revise its laws on “national security” and “the abuse of democratic freedoms to encroach on the interests of the State” – the very laws under which these peaceful critics are detained. Vietnam also refused a proposal by Poland to abrogate Ordinance 44 on “administrative detention” which authorizes detention of dissidents under house arrest or internment in psychiatric hospitals without any due process of law. These laws serve as “tools of state terror”, said Mr. Vo Van Ai. In Vietnam today, “freedom of expression, the press and peaceful assembly is cloaked in a climate of fear”. Vietnam’s refusal of “all recommendations aimed at amending the press law, ensuring the independence of the media and liberalization of the Internet” is especially disturbing in view of an ongoing “wave of arbitrary arrests of journalists, bloggers, human rights lawyers and other government critics since Vietnam’s UPR review in May”. Online journalists and writers have been fired, arrested, forced to make “confessions” and renounce all free expression. Bloggers Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, (blog-name Mother Mushroom), Bui Thanh Hieu (the Wind Trader) and Pham Doan Trang, arrested in August and September 2009, were released on condition they cease online activities. Others arrested in the crack-down, including human rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh, Tran Anh Kim and Nguyen Tien Trung are awaiting trial on charges of “spreading anti-socialist propaganda”. “They face sentences of up to 20 years in prison”, Mr. Ai said. Vietnam pursues this crackdown whilst seeking to mask repression from the public eye. It rejected recommendations by several countries during the UPR review to implement “a policy of transparency regarding its prisons and detention camps, provide information on the number of detainees and the reasons for their imprisonment, as well as information on the death penalty”. Mr. Ai also condemned Vietnam’s refusal to issue standing invitations to Special Rapporteurs on freedom of expression, religion, torture, human rights defenders and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, requested by many European and Latin American states. Vietnam’s rejection of these “elementary measures of effective human rights protection gives us good reason to doubt Vietnam’s genuine willingness to respect its international commitments” he said. Applauding the recommendation of Norway – refused by Vietnam – that civil society should be allowed to speak freely and defend human rights, Mr. Ai stressed the importance of religious freedom, especially in Vietnam, where “religious groups are amongst the sole remaining voices of civil society”, Mr. Vo Van Ai urged the government to implement the United States’ recommendation “to recognize independent religions and allow them to function freely, in particular the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV). Detained dignitaries of independent religions, such as the UBCV Patriarch Thich Quang Do should be released and allowed to live normal lives, free from persecution”. Vietnam’s responses to the UPR interactive dialogue revealed the government’s “narrow vision of human rights”, he said. “Claiming to respect human rights in principle does not mean they are respected in practice”. Moreover, whilst rejecting measures to genuinely advance human rights, Vietnam accepted proposals by certain states which “insidiously challenge the universality of human rights on the pretext of reconciling them with “specific circumstances” of Vietnam”. “The UN should seriously re-examine the UPR process”, said Vo Van Ai. “The principle of a universal yardstick to measure and encourage human rights progress is a noble ideal. But in practice, the UPR is manipulated by non-democratic countries such as Vietnam to enhance their image internationally without making any concrete progress on the ground”. At the UPR session today, after Mr. Vo Van Ai made copies of his speech available for distribution, the Vietnamese delegation surreptitiously “disappeared” them all. Mr. Vo Van Ai strongly protested: “Vietnam not only stifles its people’s voices at home, but even here in the United Nations, before the Human Rights Council, they blatantly censor the voices of civil society”.   more »

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT 24 September 2009 Viet Nam should release peaceful critics Today, at least seven peaceful critics of government policies are awaiting trial in Viet Nam. They face charges for posting articles about democracy and human rights on the internet, for writing poetry, distributing leaflets, and unfolding banners. Also today, the Human Rights Council in Geneva will adopt the Outcome Report of the Universal Periodic Review of Viet Nam, a report in which Viet Nam has blatantly rejected a large number of key recommendations pertaining to freedom of expression, assembly and association. In its report for the Universal Periodic Review Viet Nam made a serious commitment for human rights: “Respecting the universality of human rights, Viet Nam has become party to almost all core international human rights treaties and other international treaties in this field, and seriously implements its obligations. […] Viet Nam is fully aware that the implementation of international treaties on human rights is, first and foremost, the responsibility of the state party.”(1) Yet the government did not support over 40 recommendations by other states, including repealing or amending national security provisions of the 1999 Penal Code to ensure compliance with international law; removing other restrictions on dissent, debate, political opposition, freedom of assembly; and the release of prisoners of conscience.(2) Many states also emphasised the need to reform law and practice to protect freedom of expression and assembly more specifically, including on the Internet, through independent media and an independent civil society. Viet Nam rejected also these recommendations. Moreover, since the UPR review in May 2009, the Vietnamese government has increased its crackdown against peaceful expression. Public security officials and police have arrested at least 11 independent lawyers, bloggers and others who have criticized government policies or come forward as pro-democracy activists. On 24 May 2009 police arrested Tran Huynh Duy Thuc and on 13 June 2009 the renowned lawyer Le Cong Dinh. These arrests were followed by at least nine others, including a number of bloggers. Three of these were subsequently released after several days of interrogation. The authorities accuse the majority of those in detention of committing crimes under Article 88 of the Penal Code’s national security section. If convicted, they risk prison terms of up to 20 years. Article 88 - “Conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” - is vaguely worded and the authorities have a long history of using its sweeping provisions to silence voices they deem unacceptable. The article bans “propagating against, distorting and/or defaming the people’s administration”, “propagating psychological warfare and spreading fabricated news in order to foment confusion among people” and “making, storing and/or circulating documents and/or cultural products with contents” against the state. Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the Vietnamese authorities to repeal or reform the article so as to place it in line with Viet Nam’s international legal obligations. At the UPR, several states recommended reform of Article 88 and other equally sweeping national security laws. Among those arrested are: Le Cong Dinh, 41, lawyer Nguyen Tien Trung, 26, IT engineer Tran Anh Kim, 60, former army officer Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, 43, businessman and blogger Le Thang Long, 42, businessman Bui Thanh Hieu, 37, blogger Pham Doan Trang , 31, online journalist Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, 31, blogger The first five are reported to be affiliated to the Democratic Party of Viet Nam, an exile political group which speaks out for multi-party democracy. The Vietnamese authorities do not recognise any political parties or groups that are not authorised by the state and under its control. The last three are bloggers or online journalists, who were arrested and detained for expressing their views online. All these eight individuals have publicly criticised business deals and border issues relating to China, including a controversial bauxite mining operation in the Central Highlands, and a territorial agreement over the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos in the South China Sea. Amnesty International considers them as prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for their peaceful expression of their views or beliefs. Immediately after the arrest of Le Cong Dinh, the most well-known of them, the government launched a propaganda campaign in state controlled media against him. Officials and the media accused him of seeking to “overthrow the Communist regime in Vietnam through setting up the opposing political organisations”, by compiling documents “distorting the policies and laws of the Party and State”, and also stated that “Dinh had capitalized on his role as a lawyer to carry out his reactionary plot”.(3)(4)Following mounting domestic and international criticism of the arrest, on 18 June the Ministry of Public Security arranged two press conferences providing details of a “confession” by Le Cong Dinh, in which he reportedly admitted wrongdoing and asked for leniency. As others were arrested in subsequent days, the government issued more public statements and politically motivated news reports. On 19 August 2009, state television interrupted regular broadcasts to air video clips with “confessions” by some of the detainees, including Le Cong Dinh. These “confessions” and the propaganda campaign refer to activities that do not amount to recognizably criminal offenses under international law, but are merely expressions of alternative views or criticism. Examples include gathering information, communicating with others, and posting articles on the Internet. The confessions are also a cause of concern in themselves. Reports suggest that the detainees have not been allowed any visits since their arrests, including by their lawyers, and that they have been interrogated numerous times. In similar arrests, interrogations have involved intimidation, coercion and threats to obtain confessions, which raise fears for the well-being of the detainees. The Vietnamese government has stated that these detainees will be tried as a matter of urgency, but it is unclear if any of the trials have yet been scheduled. Amnesty International also considers the seven individuals, whose trials in Viet Nam were scheduled for today but reportedly postponed, as prisoners of conscience. They have been detained for around one year. This group includes: Nguyen Xuan Nghia, 60, writer Nguyen Van Tinh, 67; writer Nguyen Kim Nhan, 60, electrician Nguyen Van Tuc, 45; land rights activist Ngo Quynh, 25, student Nguyen Manh Son, 66, engineer Pham Van Troi, 37, poet Amnesty International calls on the Vietnamese government to live up to its human rights commitments made during the Universal Periodic Review by immediately and unconditionally releasing these and other prisoners of conscience. _________________________________ (1) National Report – Viet Nam, A/HRC/WG.6/5/VNM/1, 16 February 2009, 63, p. 15 (2) Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic review, Viet Nam, A/HRC/12/11, paragraph 102. (3) Le Cong Dinh arrested, Nhan Dan, 15 June 2009 (4) Lawyer arrested for subversion, police say, Thanh Nien News, 14 June 2009 Working to protect human rights worldwide   more »