Vietnamese American Achievement :: Vietnamese Buddhists Worldwide, Human Rights Watch, and International personalities call on Hanoi to cease religious repression and release Thich Huyen Quang, Thich Quang Do on UN Day of the Vesak in Hanoi;

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Vietnamese Buddhists Worldwide, Human Rights Watch, and International personalities call on Hanoi to cease religious repression and release Thich Huyen Quang, Thich Quang Do on UN Day of the Vesak in Hanoi;

by Viet-Am Review on Fri 09 May 2008 10:37 AM PDT | Permanent Link | Cosmos

INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST INFORMATION BUREAU
(BUREAU INTERNATIONAL D'INFORMATION BOUDDHISTE)
Official information service of Vien Hoa Dao, Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam
B.P. 63 - 94472 Boissy Saint Léger cedex (France) - Tel.: Paris (331) 45 98 30 85
Fax : Paris (331) 45 98 32 61 - E-mail : ubcv.ibib@buddhist.com
Web : http://www.queme.net

For immediate release
Paris, 9 May 2008

Vietnamese Buddhists worldwide call on UN Secretary General to press for release of Thich Huyen Quang and Thich Quang Do on UN Vesak Day

PARIS, 9 May 2008 (IBIB) - Leaders of Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia have appealed to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to call for the release of UBCV Supreme Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang and his Deputy Thich Quang Do on the occasion of the UN Day of the Vesak, celebrated in Hanoi from 13-17 May 2008.

Representing a community of over 2 million Vietnamese Buddhists in 70 countries all over the world, the Most Venerables Thich Ho Giac (USA), Thich Thien Tam (Canada), Thich Tri Minh (Europe), Venerable Thich Phuoc Nhon (Australia) and UBCV International spokesman Vo Van Ai sent a letter to UN Secretary-general Ban Ki Moon urging him to seize the opportunity of the UN-sponsored international Buddhist celebration to make this gesture.

“Since the United Nations gave international recognition to the celebrations of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Passing away in 1999, this event has gained huge significance. In our world torn by intolerance and violence, observance of the UN Day of Vesak inspires Buddhists and non-Buddhists worldwide to strive together for a safer and more peaceful world, through mutual respect, understanding and harmonious coexistence”.

All Vietnamese Buddhists should be proud that the event is celebrated in Vietnam, they said. But “on the contrary, it fills us with deep sadness and concern. For as the government hosts these grand celebrations and welcomes foreign visitors to Vietnam, thousands of monks, nuns and lay followers from the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) remain under detention or house arrest. The UBCV, heir to a 2,000-year tradition of tolerance and compassion, and adhered to by a great majority of the Vietnamese population, is outlawed by the government today, its pagodas confiscated or destroyed, its monks, nuns and followers detained. In 1981, Vietnam set up the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, controlled by the Communist Party’s Fatherland Front, to supplant the UBCV. Their members are subjected to strict political control, and several of its dignitaries are members of the National Assembly, in violation of traditional monastic vows”.

The letter’s signatories expressed grave concern on growing persecution against the UBCV as the UN Day of Vesak drew near. “At this very moment, Security Police are stepping up harassment against UBCV followers all over the country”. They cited the eviction of UBCV monk Thich Tri Khai from Giac Hai Pagoda in Lam Dong province, Police assaults and vandalism against UBCV monk Thich Tu Giao in Quang Tri, Police-organized “denunciation sessions” against UBCV monk Thich Chi Thang and other monks in Hue and the systematic repression of monks, nuns and lay-followers in more than 20 UBCV “representative boards” in the poor towns and rural areas.

“We are deeply concerned that Vietnam is exploiting UN Vesak Day for political ends. Faced with growing criticism of its abuses of religious freedom, notably the recommendation, on 2^nd May 2008 by the US Commission on International Commission on Religious Freedom to re-designate Vietnam as a “Country of Particular Concern” for egregious violations of religious freedom, the Vietnamese leadership is using the Vesak to enhance its international image, to legitimize State-controlled Buddhism and suppress the traditional UBCV. If they succeed, it would be a tragedy, not only for Buddhists, but for all the people of Vietnam. By eradicating the UBCV, they would stifle an essential voice of civil society, one that is bravely articulating the hopes of millions of Vietnamese for peaceful development, freedom and human rights”.

In conclusion, the signatories launched an appeal to Mr. Ban Ki-moon:

“Mr. Secretary General,

“In your 2007 Message on the UN Day of Vesak, you called on all people, Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, “to deal with our fellow human beings graciously and objectively, without hatred or ill-will”. These noble words reflect the founding spirit of the United Nations Organization, which Vietnam, as a UN member state…, is obliged to uphold.

“On the occasion of the 2008 UN Day of Vesak, we call upon you to urge Vietnam to fulfil this obligation by ceasing repression of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and immediately releasing UBCV Supreme Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang and Most Venerable Thich Quang Do. Vietnam should restore the UBCV’s legitimate status, lift all restrictions on UBCV followers, and return all UBCV property and institutions confiscated by the State since 1975.

“Supreme Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang and Most Venerable Thich Quang Do are revered by millions of Vietnamese Buddhists and recognized internationally for their courage, wisdom and compassion. Celebrating UN Vesak Day in Vietnam whilst these eminent monks are in detention, and whilst the UBCV is banned on Vietnam’s very own soil is unacceptable. We count upon you, Mr. Secretary General, to raise their plight on this auspicious day. Thereby, you will restore hope to millions of Vietnamese, and make the UN Day of the Vesak a day of happiness and joy for Vietnamese Buddhists worldwide”. ----

For full text of letter : http://www.queme.net/eng/doc/Letter_to_UN_Secretary_General_Ban_Ki_Moon_7-May-2008.pdf

Que Me <queme.democracy@gmail.com> wrote:

Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 14:31:40 +0200
From: "Que Me" <queme.democracy@gmail.com>
To: queme@free.fr
Subject: VIETNAM - International personalities call on Hanoi to release Thich Huyen Quang, Thich Quang Do on UN Day of the Vesak

English & French versions
Versions anglaise et française

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Quê Me : Action for Democracy in Vietnam / Quê Me : Action pour la Démocratie au Vietnam
Vietnam Committee on Human Rights / Comité Vietnam pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme
B.P. 63 - 94472 Boissy Saint Léger cedex (France) - Tel.: (Paris) (331) 45 98 30 85
Fax : Paris (331) 45 98 32 61 - E-mail : queme@free.fr - Web : http://www.queme.net
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For immediate release
Paris, 9th May 2008

International personalities call on Hanoi to cease religious repression and release Thich Huyen Quang, Thich Quang Do on UN Day of the Vesak in Hanoi

PARIS, 9 May 2008 (VIETNAM COMMITTEE) - Forty-nine prominent international personalities including a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, religious leaders from different faiths, Members of the European Parliament, the US Congress, Senators and MPs from Italy, France and the UK launched a joint appeal to the Vietnamese leadership on the occasion of the United Nations Day of the Vesak (Birth, Enlightenment and Passing away of the Buddha) in Hanoi (13-17 May) to cease repression against the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) and immediately release its Supreme Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang and his Deputy Thich Quang Do.

In a letter to Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and other state leaders, the signatories expressed concern at the stark contrast between the grandiose celebration of Buddhism's most sacred festival and the renewed intensity of State repression against Buddhists in Vietnam. "We are deeply disturbed by recent reports of grave repression against Buddhism, the very faith you claim to celebrate", they wrote, noting that "in the run-up to the Vesak, Police have seized UBCV pagodas to use for State-sponsored events, evicted and harassed UBCV monks, nuns and lay-followers in Lam Dong, Hue, Quang Tri…". Only the State-sponsored Buddhist Sangha would be hosting the ceremonies, whilst UBCV leaders "are prisoners in their own pagodas".

They called on Vietnam to release Supreme Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang, 88, and the UBCV's second-ranking dignitary Thich Quang Do, 80, who have both spent over 26 years in detention; to re-establish the legitimate status of the banned UBCV; and to cease all repression against the UBCV.

Signatories include Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire, US Congressman Frank Wolf, Roman Catholic Bishop Vaclav Maly of Prague, Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, prominent MEPs Graham Watson, Marco Pannella, Edward McMillan-Scott, Italian Senate Vice-President Emma Bonino, USCIRF Commissioner Nina Shea, Lord Avebury and Lord Alton of the UK House of Lords etc. (Full text below).

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H.E. Nguyen Minh Triet, President, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
H.E. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister
H.E. Nong Duc Manh, Secretary General, Communist Party of Vietnam
H.E. Nguyen Phu Trong, President of the National Assembly

Excellencies,

On 13-17 May 2008, your government will host the 5th United Nations' Day of the Vesak in Hanoi. This should be a happy occasion, a day to remember Buddha's message of tolerance and peace, and to inspire all people, Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, to work together towards mutual understanding and harmonious coexistence in our world.

However, we are deeply disturbed by recent reports of grave repression against Buddhism, the very faith you claim to celebrate. Only the State-sponsored Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, controlled by the Communist Party's Fatherland Front, will attend these celebrations, whilst the independent, traditional Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) remains banned and its leaders are prisoners in their own pagodas.

In the run-up to the Vesak, Police have seized UBCV pagodas to use for State-sponsored events, evicted and harassed UBCV monks, nuns and lay-followers in Lam Dong, Hue, Quang Tri and elsewhere. On 2nd May 2008, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed deep concern on "significant official harassment of monks, nuns and youth leaders associated with the UBCV", including the long-term house arrest of UBCV Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang, 88 and his Deputy Thich Quang Do, 80, a 2008 Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Both monks have spent over 26 years in detention for their peaceful advocacy of religious freedom, democracy and human rights. Moreover, in the light of grave abuses against Buddhists, Protestants, Catholics, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai and other religious communities, the USCIRF recommended that Vietnam be re-designated in 2008 as a "Country of Particular Concern".

We appreciate the progress you have made in certain domains, but this progress remains uneven. As a member of the World Trade Organization, non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and a signatory to key UN human rights treaties, Vietnam has a binding obligation to uphold all internationally-recognised human rights. This entails respect for the mother of all freedoms – the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief.

On the occasion of the UN Day of Vesak, we urge you to cease all repression against the UBCV, release Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang and Most Venerable Thich Quang Do and restore the UBCV's legitimate status. By this gesture, you will restore true significance to the UN Day of the Vesak, and honour the 2,000 year heritage of Buddhism in Vietnam.

Sincerely,

Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire; Congressman Frank R. Wolf, co-chair of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus (USA); Bishop Vaclav Maly (Bishop of Prague, President of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Czech Bishops´Conference); Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld (Washington DC, USA); Nina Shea, Director, Hudson Institute Center for Religious Freedom, Commissioner, US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USA); Graham Watson (MEP, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe); Marco Pannella (MEP, Italy); Edward McMillan-Scott (MEP, European Parliament Vice-President, UK); Emma Bonino Vice President of the Italian Senate; Marco Cappatto (MEP, Rapporteur for Human Rights); Lord Avebury, Vice-Chair, Parliamentary Human Rights Group (UK); Professor Lord Alton of Liverpool (UK); Robert Evans (MEP, UK); Józef Pinior (MEP); Luca Romagnoli (MEP); Charles Tannock (MEP, UK); Marco Perduca (Senator, Italy); Donatella Poretti (Senator, Italy); Roberto Della Sete, (Senator, Italy); Maurizio Turco (MP, Italy); Matteo Meccaci (MP, Italy); Maria Antonietta Farina Coscioni (MP, Italy); Rita Bernardini (MP, Italy); Elisabetta Zamparutti (MP, Italy); Marco Beltrandi (MP, Italy); Andrea Sarubbi (MP, Italy); Renato Farina (MP, Italy); Giovanni Fava (MP, Italy); Noel Mamère (MP, France); Son Chhay (MP, Cambodia); Therese Jebsen, Executive Director, Rafto Foundation (Norway); Arne Liljedahl Lynngard, Chairman, Rafto Prize Committee (Norway); Tina Lambert, Christian Solidarity Worldwide; Julia Doxat-Purser, European Evangelical Alliance; Venerable Katsuyuki Imoto, Catuddisa Sangha, Japan; Jennifer Windsor, Executive Director, Freedom House (USA); Kok Ksor, President of the Montagnard Foundation; Overseas Office of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam: Most Venerable Thich Ho Giac, President; Venerable Thich Vien Ly, Secretary General; Most Venerable Thich Nu Nguyen Thanh, Treasurer; Most Venerable Thich Chanh Lac, Commissioner General for Internal and Dharma Affairs; Vo Van Ai, Commissioner general for International Relations; Reverend Thich Giac Duc, Commissioner general for Planning; Most Venerable Thich Tri Lang, Commissioner general for Social Affairs; Venerable Thich Giac Dang, Commissioner general for Information; Most Venerable Thich Huyen Viet, Commissioner general for Youth; Venerable Thich Phuoc Nhon, Commissioner general for Financial Affairs (Australia); Most Venerable Thich Tri Minh, Commissioner general for Europe; Most Venerable Thich Thien Tam, Commissioner general for Canada.

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Human Rights Watch called on the Vietnamese government to release people imprisoned for peaceful religious or political activities and end restrictions on independent religious organizations who choose not to affiliate with the officially authorized religious organizations under the control of the government.

“Independent religious groups should be allowed to freely organize and manage themselves, conduct religious activities, and even engage in peaceful public protests,” said Pearson. “Vietnam’s respect for human rights and religious freedom has sharply deteriorated since the US removed it from its blacklist of religious freedom violators and Vietnam’s subsequent acceptance into the World Trade Organization.”

For more of Human Rights Watch’s work on Vietnam, please visit:

http://hrw.org/doc/?t=asia&c=vietnam

For more information, please contact:

In New York, Elaine Pearson (English): +1-646-291-7169 (mobile)

In Washington, DC, Sophie Richardson (English, Mandarin): +1-202-612-4341; or +1-917-721-7473 (mobile)

In London, Brad Adams (English): +44-20-7713-2767; or +44-790-872-8333 (mobile)