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 »

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 »

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 »

Sept. 21, 2009 04:01 UTC U.S. Senator Jim Webb and Other Members of Congress Briefed on the Recent Unlawful Imprisonment of Five Members of the Democratic Party of Vietnam (DPV) SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE )-- Dr. Ngai Nguyen, the Vice Secretary of the Democratic Party of Vietnam, in a visit to Washington, D.C., briefed Senator Jim Webb and other members of Congress and the Human Rights Caucus on the recent unlawful imprisonment of five members of the Democratic Party of Vietnam (DPV). This includes Nguyen Tien Trung, Le Cong Dinh, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Tran Anh Kim and Nguyen Van Hai. Dr. Ngai also discussed the increased tensions developing between China and Vietnam. Senator Webb confirmed that the U.S. should keep the balance, diplomatically, in the Southeast Asia area. Senator Webb also reaffirmed his more than thirty years of support for improved human rights in Vietnam. The members of Congress told Dr. Ngai they would discuss Vietnam’s increasing abuse of human rights with their Congressional colleagues and send a letter to President Nguyen Minh Triet early next week. In that letter, the Members of Congress would ask President Triet to release, unconditionally, in advance of his trip to the UN’s 64th General Assembly September 23 - 25, the five members of the Democratic Party of Vietnam, along with all other political prisoners who are unlawfully imprisoned in Vietnam. Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6054219&lang=en Contacts Central Executive CommitteeDemocratic Party of VietnamDr. Ngai X. Nguyen, 1-408-603-5030Vice Secretary, Overseas Officengainguyen@aol.com Source: Democratic Party of Vietnam Smart Multimedia Gallery Photo Senator Jim Webb, left, discussing Vietnam issues with Dr. Ngai X. Nguyen. (Photo: Business Wire) View this news release and multimedia online at:http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090920005035/en   more »

Vietnam's War on Religion By: Michael Benge FrontPageMagazine.com | Wednesday, September 16, 2009 The United States’ decision not to put Vietnam back onto the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) regarding religion flies in the face of absurdity given that repressive country’s ongoing war on religion. Religious repression appears to have actually increased since Vietnam was taken off the CPC list. The Washington Times' August 7 article “Zen master at center of row” exposes but one more example of Vietnam’s war on religion, this time against the disciples of famous Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh: “The monks and nuns at Bat Nha monastery in Vietnam’s Central Highlands have been quietly meditating and studying the teachings of the 82-year-old Vietnamese sage who is perhaps the world's best-known living Buddhist after Tibet's Dalai Lama.” Rather than roll out mainline military units as in the past, the Vietnamese communists changed tactics and used gangs of plain clothes police and hired thugs - a parastatal army - armed with sledgehammers, axes, iron bars and other weapons to attack the monastery. They smashed windows, damaged buildings and threatened the monks and nuns. By using this mix of plain clothes police and hired thugs, Hanoi feels it has plausible deniability by claiming that the attack was caused by inter-factional fighting within the Buddhist Church, and in other cases “citizen anger toward inhabitants.” Many believe that the real reason for the attack was because of Nhat Hanh's call on President Nguyen Minh Triet for Vietnam to abolish government control of religion. Others say that the attack may have been predicated on pressure from China on Hanoi for Nhat Hanh's praise for the Dalai Lama. This kind of an attack is not an isolated incident and is being indiscriminately used against Protestants, Catholics and other Buddhist sects as well. A week later, the diocese of Vinh reported the brutal beating of two Catholic priests by plain clothed police and thugs. Fr Paul Nguyen was beaten by a group of men when he tried to save three women who were being attacked by the same men while 30 uniformed police officers stood idly by and watched. Fr Peter Nguyen The Binh was beaten by a similar gang of armed men and thrown from a second story window while visiting Fr Nguyen in the hospital. Similar attacks against Montagnard Protestants have been reported in the Central Highlands. For example, on August 21, 2009, Vietnamese communist security police went to the homes of Protestant Christian pastors Phan Nay (DOB 1977), Vong Kpa (DOB 1969) and Hnoi Ksor (DOB 1982) of Ploi Ksing A village, Xa ia Piar commune, Huyen ayun Pa district, Gia Lai province and severely kicked and beat them with batons in front of their families and villagers. Afterwards, their relatives tried taking them to the hospital but were prevented from doing so by the police. According to more recent reports, they are still in severe pain and have difficult eating and keeping food down. The police accused them of conducting illegal House Church services not authorized by the “Potempkin” Hoi Thanh Tin Lanh Vietnam communist government controlled church for Montagnards in Plieku city. In Vietnam, communism is a political religion and the communist party views any organized religion as a direct threat to national security and their authoritarian control of the Vietnamese people. In Vietnam’s 2008 Internal ‘Training Manual for the Task Concerning the Protestant Religion,’ designed for the Central Bureau of Religious Affairs’ (CBRA) special police, whose responsibilities include the monitoring and control of religion and churches, it states “official thinking still connects religion with schemes of “enemy forces which hope to destroy the precious revolution of our people.” By 2007, the communist government held over 3,000 training courses and 10,000 workshops throughout the country for the political management of religion. US Ambassador Michael Michalak and the State Department commended the Vietnamese government for doing so. In the 2007-2008 training cycle, 21,811 more of CBRA’s religious police were trained to “manage religion.” On August 11, Compass Direct News reported that four police officers and two officials from the CBRA interrupted a Sunday House Church worship service in Tran Phu Commune, Hanoi, and one officer told the members that if he found them meeting next Sunday, "I will kill you like I'd kill a dog." Ironically, the pastor had twice tried to register the House Church with the government. Over 150 Montagnard House Church Pastors are languishing in prisons in Vietnam. In April 2008, Pastor H’Bat Puih, mother of four, was sent to Pleiku’s T-20 prison and hasn't been heard of since. The price of registering churches means surrendering religious freedom to the communist party. The church must submit to the CBRA a list of the names and addresses of members, and only those approved by the CBRA can attend services. All sermons must be approved in advance by the CBRA, and all sermons, including those of minorities, must be given in Vietnamese. Pastors and priests can neither deviate from the approved sermon nor proselytize, and the CBRA religious police “manage” all church activities. This wrath of the communist regime also includes the destruction of church property. For example, not only is the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam outlawed but its property was seized and buildings destroyed; the first Montagnard Christian Church, considered as a sacred historical site in Buonmathuot city, was recently demolished; the Catholic nunciature in Hanoi was destroyed as was the Redemptorist Monastery in Nha Trang. The nuns of the Order of Cross Lovers in Thu Thiem - a suburb of Ho Chi Minh city - were removed from their 170 year old convent and the buildings destroyed. The monastery of the order of the Brothers of The Holy Family of Banam (Frères de la Sainte Famille de Banam) in Long Xuyen were demolished, as was the monastery of the Sisters of St Paul of Chartres in Vinh Long province. Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak recently stated, “The US has no interest in putting Vietnam back onto the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) regarding religion.” He has often praised Vietnam regarding their supposed record of improving religious freedom, and also said, “…the US Department of State stated that there was not enough evidence to put Vietnam back on the list.” US policy toward Vietnam seems to have reverted to “see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil” when it comes to religious persecution. This is the same communist regime that murdered over a million of their own people after its takeover of South Viet Nam in 1975. This carryover Bush policy of engagement with Vietnam regarding religious freedom has been a dismal failure, and in fact, the U.S. inaction is seen by the communists as tacit approval of their policies. President Obama has promised change, now the question is, does he have the courage to change President Bush’s failed policy of worshiping at the alter of trade by holding Vietnam’s feet to the fire and placing that repressive regime back on the CPC list? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Benge spent 11 years in Vietnam as a Foreign Service Officer, including five years as a Prisoner of war-- 1968-73 and is a student of South East Asian Politics. He is very active in advocating for human rights and religious freedom and has written extensively on these subjects.   more »

Kính gởi tới toàn thể Đồng bào và Thân hữu quốc tế Lời Kêu gọi của Khối 8406 liên quan tới tình trạng sức khỏe của Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý và Luật sư Lê Thị Công Nhân trong cảnh lao tù CS. Nhà cầm quyền CSVN thường rêu rao là chế độ lao tù của họ nhân đạo thì nay hãy chứng tỏ điều ấy. Khối 8406 +++++++++++++++ OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL TEXT IN VIETNAMESE WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION.   more »

Thực hiện: Hà Giang - Nguyễn Tuyển Hanoi – Hanoi authority announced a “special reprieve” granted to a number of offenders on the occasion of national day September 2nd. The list does not include well known political prisoners whose names have been mentioned several times by the US government and the congress as well as by the EU for requesting immediate release. HÀ NỘI (TH) - Nhà cầm quyền Hà Nội loan báo “đặc xá” 5,459 tù nhân, nhân dịp kỷ niệm ngày 2 Tháng Chín, ngày cướp chính quyền năm 1945. Ðợt đặc xá không có những tù nhân chính trị nổi tiếng từng được chính phủ và Quốc Hội Hoa Kỳ cũng như Liên Âu kêu gọi trả tự do rất nhiều lần. Rev Nguyen Van Ly, whose name has been raised by 37 US Senators in their letter in early July to Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, is not listed in the “special reprieve” grant. Lawyers Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan, who are especially considered by international community are not listed either. Linh Mục Nguyễn Văn Lý, từng được 37 nghị sĩ Hoa Kỳ gửi thư tới ông Nguyễn Minh Triết hồi đầu Tháng Bảy yêu cầu trả tự do, đã không có tên trong danh sách “đặc xá” cũng như Luật Sư Nguyễn Văn Ðài và Luật Sư Lê Thị Công Nhân đều được dư luận quốc tế quan tâm đặc biệt. Some democracy activists said to the Nguoi Viet News that, the decision of not release those foresaid conscience prisoners are “disappointed, but not surprised”. Một số nhân vật hoạt động cho dân chủ, nhân quyền, nói với Người Việt, rằng quyết định không trả tự do cho những tù nhân lương tâm vừa đề cập là “thất vọng, nhưng không ngạc nhiên.” In response to the Nguoi Viet, Prof. Nguyen Chinh Ket, a member of 8406, who are in mission abroad said that he has got the news from the letter of Embassador Michael Michalak to Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang, mentioning that the US Embassy in VN has officially requested Hanoi Government to release Rev Ly. However, frankly speaking, I did not have hope that he’ll be released”. Tiếp xúc với nhật báo Người Việt, ông Nguyễn Chính Kết, thành viên Khối 8406, hiện đang hoạt động tại hải ngoại, cho biết ông đã nhận được tin từ lá thư của Ðại Sứ Michael Michalak gửi cho Tiến Sĩ Nguyễn Ðình Thắng, cho biết tòa đại sứ đã chính thức yêu cầu nhà nước Hà Nội trả tự do cho Linh Mục Lý, nhưng “thật tình mà nói, tôi không có hy vọng là ông sẽ được họ sẽ trả tự do.” The official Vietnam News Agency only said that in this “special reprieve”, there are 19 foreign citizens, 790 females and “13 prisoners of offences relating to infringing upon national security”. Hãng thông tấn chính thức của CSVN chỉ nói trong số 5,459 được “đặc xá” lần này có 19 người mang quốc tịch nước ngoài, 794 nữ tù và “13 người phạm tội xâm phạm an ninh quốc gia.” The Dan Tri News quoted Police General Le The Tiem’s words in a press conference in Hanoi that “There are two cases which are interested the most by foreign press are Le Thi Cong Nhan and Nguyen Van Ly. The vice minister of Police Department said that Le Thi Cong Nhan has been on serving the sentence. She is not qualify for a special reprieve as far as the time and other criteria are concerned”. Báo Dân Trí khi loan tin này thuật lời Tướng Công An Lê Thế Tiệm trong cuộc họp báo ở Hà Nội, rằng “Hai trường hợp được nhiều phóng viên báo đài nước ngoài quan tâm là Lê Thị Công Nhân và Nguyễn Văn Lý. Thứ trưởng Bộ Công An cho biết, Lê Thị Công Nhân đang thi hành án, chưa đủ thời gian, điều kiện xét đặc xá.” General Tiem also said that the “Special Reprieve” bill passed by the Congress on November 21, 2007 regulates in Article 10, item 1b that, “...Has been serving a certain period decided by the President by not less than one third of the term of a certain sentence...”   more »

English translation by Faithful Follower for VietAm Review, August 31, 2009. Rev Nguyen Van Ly’s health is unstable in the prison (News article on 08/28/2009) On 08/24/2009 Madam Nguyen thi Hieu, sister of Rev Ly and his nephew paid him a visit at Ba Sao Prison in Nam Ha. This is an early visit because regular visits should be in odd months. Rev Ly appeared with a limp a little bit but his face looked normal. He wore the prisoner’s stripe suit which made him uncomfortable. After asking for news of family and friends, he talked about his own health issue. He has been diagnosed with high blood pressure (see news article on 07/13/2009). The Prisoner of Conscience told his sister many issues which he didn’t tell her in last visit on July 09. “ On May 13 while walking back and forth in the narrow cell, suddenly I saw blood spilling out on the floor. Looking back carefully, I found out that it was bleeding from my urinary bladder. It was dark color blood. I called the physicians. They came and gave me some medicine to stop the bleeding and it was cured. On May 25, I fell down in the cell and broke a little hole on the back of my head. I was given some medicine also. On July 12, three days after the family’s visit, suddenly, I found my right arm and leg stiffened which I could not move them normally. They gave me some medicine to be taken by mouth with no further treatment like injection or so. Recognizing the unusual, on July 17, I wrote a letter asking for the family’s visit by early August. Because I could not control my stiffened arm, my writing looked very scrawly. I was waiting but without response, so, on August 03, I wrote another letter to inform the family. This time, my hand writing looked better. because I had to make a great effort. Now, my health is a little bit improved.” (attached photocopy of the letter). Madam Hieu responded: “The family did not receive your letter dated July 14. The letter dated August 03 was received on August 22. Previously, On August 15, Sister Quyen (Rev Ly’s niece, a nun of the Order of Our Lady’s Visit in Huê City) had got news on your unstable health through Father Nguyên Huu Giai who received the emergency news from Hanoi.” Father Ly said: “I hope I’ll be visited every month from now on to update my health situation. If you are not well enough to go, let other nieces or nephews do. And the Huê’s Archdiocese who’s holding main responsibility on me”. Then Father Ly talked about other issues: “Recently, I’ve requested the jailers to let me share my foods to poorer prisoners. Initially, they disagreed. I argued: I you don’t allow me to share my goods to others, I’ll not receive them anymore. I’ll return them all. As a priest, my conscience will not allow me to enjoy myself while other brothers are suffering. Now, they’ve already approved. Please send your gifts regularly so that I can help those without family visit. They are pitiful prisoners”. Father Ly directly talked to major Nam, who has been exclusively “monitoring” him for years: “You were wrong in killing Bishop Nguyên Kim Diên. It should be me Nguyên Van Ly to be killed! I’m now like an Aids patient, who is incurable. You require me to write self review every three months with the hope that I’ll change my mind! There is nothing to be self reviewed. Nothing to change! I should review you and your government instead. You have done so many crimes and mistakes in West Highland, Thai Ha, Tam Toa, etc. When I’m free, I’ll go to those places to support the people to protest against and denounce the crimes of Communist government...” At the end of two hour visit (we’ve just summarized key points here), Madam Hieu left Major Nam three phone numbers, the Archdiocese’s, the family’s in Quang Biên and the cousin’s in Thua Thiên with remarks; “ Please inform the family and the Archdiocese at once if any emergency related to my brother. You will be responsible if Father Ly dies in the prison!” Father Ly also asked for those numbers so that he can contact later on. On returning to Huê on August 27, Madam Hieu and her nephew arrived at the Archdiocese Huê to see Archbishop Nguyên Nhu The for information update. However, she was said that The Archbishop was absent so she should see Deputy Bishop Le Van Hong. In the meeting with Bishop Le Van Hong, Madam Hieu raised two points straight out: “ 1, the Archdiocese of Huê to request the government not to place Father Ly in solitary confinement anymore. Solitary confinement is considered as a disciplinary action in the prison. With his current health situation, it would be too late for rescue if something is threatening his life in the confinement. 2, Officially, it is the Archdiocese who has the main responsibility for Father Ly. We’re taking care of him because we’re his next of kin only. However, we’re too far away, we cannot pay a visit every month. As you are aware, in the visit of USCRIF on May 13, 2009, the delegation mentioned that it’s not adequate if we just visit him every two months. Whereas, the Archdiocese has visited him only once”!?! The Deputy Bishop listened and noted her comments. Let’s wait and see! Dear compatriots and worldwide friends, please keep on your consideration, informing and praying for the health of our prisoner of conscience, the symbol of undefeatable struggle for Democracy, Human Rights and Religious Freedom in Vietnam. Reported by Bloc 8406 FNA reporters according to Madam Nguyên Thi Hieu in Huê City August 28, 2009.   more »