Rep. Lofgren Urges Administration to Question Vietnam at Universal Periodic Review Letter Calls on Government to Press Vietnam on Human Rights Record Washington, D.C. – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) recently authored a letter that was also signed by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), and Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA), calling on the Obama Administration to actively participate in the UN Human Rights Council's review of Vietnam during the current session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The Congressional Caucus on Vietnam, which is co-chaired by Reps. Lofgren, Smith, Sanchez, and Cao, worked with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and various non-governmental organizations to develop a list of suggested questions for the review. This list accompanied Rep. Lofgren’s letter, which was sent to the United States Mission to the United Nations. Click here for a pdf of the letter to United States Mission to the United Nations (also below). Click here for a pdf of the Vietnam Caucus Questions. April 24, 2009 The Honorable Susan Rice Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations 140 East 45th Street New York, NY 10017 Dear Madame Ambassador: As Members of the United States House of Representatives and Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam, we write to urge the United States Mission to the United Nations to participate actively in the Human Rights Council's review of Vietnam during the current session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR process offers a unique opportunity to assess publicly the human rights records of UN Member States. On May 8, 2009, Vietnam will come before the UPR for the first time. As you know, any Member State can pose questions of the Government of Vietnam during the review. We believe it is imperative that the UPR include a full accounting of human rights conditions in Vietnam, including the multitude of abuses detailed in the State Department’s 2008 Country Report on Human Rights Practices. Toward that end, the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam has worked with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and various non-governmental organizations to develop the enclosed list of suggested questions for the review of Vietnam. These questions cover a wide range of critical issues and abuses, including the Vietnamese government's continuing crackdown on democracy activists, journalists and other dissidents, its restrictions on religious freedom, its pervasive censorship of the internet, and widespread arbitrary detention and deprivation of due process. We respectfully request that the United States Mission consider submitting the enclosed questions during the UPR session for Vietnam. Given that the UPR considers the human rights record of each country only once every four years, it is crucial that this opportunity not be missed. Sincerely, ZOE LOFGREN CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH Member of Congress Member of Congress LORETTA SANCHEZ ANH “JOSEPH” CAO Member of Congress Member of Congress   more »

Human Rights Commitments and Pledges of the United States of America Bureau of Public Affairs Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC April 27, 2009 On March 31, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Susan Rice announced that the United States will seek a seat this year on the United Nations Human Rights Council with the goal of working to make it a more effective body to promote and protect human rights. As part of the process that will culminate in elections on May 12, each candidate country is asked to produce a pledge outlining its commitment to promoting human rights. This information is circulated among countries and posted on the UN Human Rights Council website. The United States has produced its pledge - Human Rights Commitments and Pledges of the United States of America, which can be read in its entirety here: http://www.state.gov/p/io/. PRN: 2009/385   more »

Kính thưa toàn thể Đồng bào Để kỷ niệm 3 năm thành lập Khối 8406 và để hưởng ứng Lời Kêu gọi Bất tuân dân sự - biểu tình tại gia (trong tháng 5) của Hòa thượng Thích Quảng Độ, Tủ sách Khối 8406 hân hạnh giới thiệu 3 tập "BỨC MÀN BAUXITE VÀ ÂM MƯU TÂY NGUYÊN" ****************************************************************** OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL TEXT   more »

Khoa Lịch sử Đại học San Jose và Đề án Lịch sử Quân sự Burdick Giới thiệu: Ngày Tưởng niệm và Lịch sử Việt Nam Thường niên lần Đầu tiên Tưởng niệm và vinh danh các cựu quân nhân, sĩ quan, và những người yêu nước của Việt Nam Cộng Hòa và Cựu Quân nhân Mỹ gốc Việt Chương trình Trình diễn nhạc cổ truyền 5:00-5:30 Chào mừng và nghi lễ 5:30-6:00 Giới thiệu Tác phẩm Nhiếp ảnh của Nguyễn Ngọc Hạnh do Nhiếp ảnh gia Nguyễn Ngọc Hạnh và Cali Foto Media trình bày 6:00-7:00 Bán Sách qua Mạng Internet – Hội chợ Sách Đa Văn hóa Nhóm 19 Ân xá Quốc tế Hoa kỳ kiến nghị trả tự do cho Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý Thứ Năm 30.04.2009 5:00-700* Giảng đường Kỹ thuật (ENG 189) Đại học San Jose Thành phố San Jose Điều hành bởi: tiến sĩ Jonathan Roth, Giám đốc Đề án Lịch sử Quân sự Burdick, Đại học San Jose (SJSU) Mở cửa tự do. Mọi chi tiết xin liên hệ TS Jonathan Roth ở số (408) 924-5505 hoặc jonathan.roth@sjsu.edu. *Đêm thắp nến canh thức được tổ chức bởi Cộng đồng Việt Mỹ Bắc California bắt đầu lúc 7:30 p.m, 2129 South 10th Street San Jose   more »

Liên Hội Người Việt Canada Vietnamese Canadian Federation Fédération vietnamienne du Canada 249 Rochester Street Ottawa, ON; K1R 7M9 CANADA Tel.: (613) 230-8282; Fax: (613) 230-8281; Email: vietfederation@bellnet.ca Website: www.vietfederation.ca April 8, 2009 The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, P.C., M.P. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Re. Persecution of Lawyer Le Tran Luat Dear Sir: I’m writing to request your intervention in the case of a human-rights lawyer who is being subject to persecution by the Vietnamese Communist government. The lawyer in question, Mr. Le Tran Luat, had agreed to defend 8 Catholics of Thai Ha District in Hanoi who participated in the prayer sessions for the return of the Catholic Church’s land illegally confiscated by the government. In addition, he also agreed to defend, free of charge, some political dissidents who were involved in a peaceful movement for democracy and freedom in Vietnam, including Messrs. Nguyen Xuan Nghia, Pham Thanh Nghien, Pham Van Troi, and Vu Hung who have been detained without trial for several months. In response to Mr. Luat’s actions, Vietnamese authorities at present subject him to a plan of constant harassments including the following incidents: - On February 25, 2009, his office in Saigon was searched by the police who took away his photocopiers and computers to execute a decree in favour of a competing law firm in a private dispute; - On March 3, 2009, he was prevented from taking a flight from Saigon to Hanoi to meet his clients. Subsequently he was detained for interrogation at the police station for the whole day. - His associates Hung and Dat and his assistant Ta Phong Tran were also summoned by the police for questioning. Specifically, Ms. Ta Phong Tran was interrogated 10 times over 10 consecutive days. - On March 25, 2009, the police delivered to his office a notice of termination of its operation permit. Consequently, he had to suspend all the services that he had committed to his clients and to return the retention fees that he had received. - Since then, his office has been kept under watch by a group of about 20 secret police agents, and everyone who visited this office was searched and interrogated afterward. - In order to prepare for his eventual disbarring, the government has mounted a vicious campaign in the state media to denounce him as a crook and a criminal. The Investigation Bureau has submitted to the Ministry of Justice a request to withdraw his legal practice permit. All the above incidents point to the possibility that Mr. Luat will be prevented from practicing his profession as a lawyer and will be subject to detention and eventual imprisonment. The persecution of Mr. Luat by the Vietnamese government is an insult to Canada’s commitment to help Vietnam improve the administration of justice and increase knowledge of, and access to, the legal system in the current $12 million legal development assistance project. I would therefore like to suggest that you suspend it until Vietnamese authorities show their own respect of justice by ending all their harassments against this courageous lawyer. Trusting that our request will receive a favourable response from you, I remain, Yours sincerely, (Original signed by) Ut Ngo President, Vietnamese Canadian Federation c.c. The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P. Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism   more »

Global Day of Action Against Bauxite Mining in Vietnam's Central Highlands On Earth Day, let's Save Tây Nguyên! In honor of Earth Day, we will blanket everyone's status on Facebook and raise public consciousness about the Vietnamese government's proposed bauxite mining. This will be done to draw attention to the vast environmental devastation and economic consequences to Vietnam's beautiful Central Highlands, known as Tây Nguyên. Background: The government of Vietnam has been quietly cooperating with China to exploit bauxite in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Not only is this a serious disregard to the ethnic minorities in the area, it is exploitation of an ecologically-rich agriculture region in the name of development. Bauxite mining poses a negative impact to the local economy and a long-lasting environmental impact that will undoubtedly affect generations to come. For more information, visit http://www.viettan.org/savetaynguyen JOIN IN ON THE GLOBAL ACTION! It's Easy! All YOU have to do ► ► ► 1) On April 22, DONATE YOUR FACEBOOK STATUS to bring awareness to the issue. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=95045267743 2) HOST OR JOIN A TEACH-IN on the subject of bauxite mining. Let's raise the public forum on this issue, not just within the online community, but to your communities at your local universities, workplace, and cities. The more people know, the more action that can take place!! We will post teach-in guides and all the materials for a successful event. 3) CALL OR E-MAIL VINACOMIN AND CHINALCO, the two state-run companies exploiting bauxite in Vietnam's Central Highlands. Ask them what their plans are to protect the local environment and ethnic cultures. Vinacomin (Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group): +84-4 4-35180.141 info@vinacomin.vn Chinalco (Aluminum Corporation of China): China Jane Lu Tel: +86 10 8229 8367 Fax: +86 10 8229 8339 Email: Jane_lu@chinalco.com.cn United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 7379 5151 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7379 6161 Email: ghudson@maitland.co.uk / lmorley@maitland.co.uk Australia Jim Kelly / Amanda Lee Tel: +61 (2) 8298 6100 Fax: +61 (2) 9251 0716 Email:jim.kelly@fdthirdperson.com.au / amanda.lee@fdthirdperson.com.au There will be many more direct actions to come, so stay tuned! Everyone invite your friends to this global event! Raising awareness for Vietnam's Central Highlands will go on beyond Earth Day, but let's start NOW. Khai thác bô xít Tây Nguyên: 3 vấn đề, 3 kiến nghị Gs. Nguyễn Ngọc Trân Các bài liên hệ: Ngang ngược quá đáng và hậu quả Nắm cho vững! Bám cho chặt! Tiếng thét: ngừng ngay lại! Bôxít - stop! Bức màn bauxite, âm mưu Tây nguyên !!! Để gia tăng tối đa khối kiến thức từ nhiều góc cạnh về vấn nạn Bô-xít Trung Nguyên hiện nay, chúng tôi đang và sẽ tiếp tục cố gắng thu thập ý kiến của các chuyên gia ngoại quốc cũng như Việt Nam về các hậu quả lên môi sinh và con người quanh vấn đề này. Ban Biên Tập Web Việt Tân ********************************************************************************** A letter from the Vietnamese Canadian Federation to M.P. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, is attached. It gives an excellent account in English of the issues regarding bauxite mining in Vietnam    more »

Hết thuốc chữa cho báo đảng Hà Nội Mai Văn Lành Báo Hà Nội mới (Cơ quan của Thành uỷ Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam Thành phố Hà Nội – Tiếng nói của Đảng bộ, chính quyền và nhân dân Thủ đô – chữ “và” đổi thành chữ “trừ” mới đúng) đã sử dụng hết những con bài tẩy với tính cách hằn học nhằm triệt hạ giáo dân và Giáo hội Công giáo. Phiên toà đã diễn ra rầm rộ, nô nức những dòng người hiên ngang tới từ muôn phương. Đó chính là bản án kết tội những kẻ đã rắp tâm hại đời bằng những ngón đòn thô bỉ và hèn hạ. Đó cũng là tiếng đáp trả cho uy tín của tờ báo đảng Hà Nội. Đây là tờ báo được “ưu ái” bắt buộc các cơ quan, đoàn thể và chi bộ… phải mua bằng tiền ngân sách, thậm chí róc cả những đồng lương hưu còm cõi của những người có được dính tí chức quyền từ tổ dân phố trở lên. Nếu không có chính sách mua bắt buộc đó thì hiếm có ai bỏ ra dù chỉ vài ngàn lẻ để rinh về nhà. Nó vẫn bị coi rẻ ! Hàng chồng báo HNM được chuyển ra hàng xôi, hàng đồng nát vẫn còn nguyên nếp gấp là những bằng chứng về tín nhiệm của nhân dân dành cho nó. Cay cú sau phiên toà sơ thẩm đã chuẩn bị quá cẩn thận công phu tuyên truyền, lừa bịp dư luận không từ một ngón nghề bỉ ổi nào, nhưng hầu như kết quả ngược lại với ý đồ của những bộ óc đen tối. Khi đã cạn vốn văn hoá lưu manh, bị tẩy chay ngay chính trên mảnh đất dụng võ của mình, không thể tìm đâu ra những ngôn từ hạ đẳng để chia rẽ dân tộc, tờ HNM phải cầu viện tới đàn em của mình là tờ Giao điểm - cánh tay cực đoan nối dài của cộng sản trên đất Mỹ - điển hình cho sự vong ơn bội nghĩa của những kẻ đang được cưu mang từ thế giới tự do để quay lại thờ chủ nghĩa độc tài cộng sản. Đó cũng là bản chất của những người cộng sản, vốn sinh ra từ dân để quay lại bóp hầu bóp cổ dân và làm cha thiên hạ - bản chất ăn cháo đá bát. OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL TEXT Trò chơi nguy hiểm của những kẻ cực đoan 07/04/2009 20:20 LTS: Thời gian qua dư luận rất bất bình trước những việc làm sai trái của một số linh mục Nhà thờ Thái Hà phối hợp với các thế lực bên ngoài tuyên truyền, bịa đặt, vu cáo chính quyền. Về vấn đề này đã có những bài viết trên mạng Internet thể hiện quan điểm riêng, trong đó nói rõ tính chất nguy hiểm của Công giáo cực đoan. Hànộimới Online trích giới thiệu bài của tác giả Trần Đình Hoàng tại địa chỉ www.giaodiemonline.com để bạn đọc cùng tham khảo. Đọc qua những gì các đại lý truyền thông công giáo ở Bolsa liên quan đến "vụ nhà khâm sứ", người ta phải rùng mình trước những lời lẽ rất giống với những kẻ cực đoan hành nghề khủng bố của Hồi giáo. Những khẩu hiệu đầy tính kích động và bạo loạn do chính các linh mục và một số người trong cộng đồng công giáo hải ngoại cho thấy họ là những kẻ cực đoan, và thái độ cực đoan biến họ thành những kẻ nội thù nguy hiểm của dân tộc Việt Nam. OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL TEXT Những kẻ công giáo cực đoan trong cộng đồng người Việt hải ngoại và trong nước là những "con sâu làm rầu nồi canh", hay những con vi khuẩn xã hội nguy hiểm vì chúng có thể lây truyền gây bất ổn cho xã hội. "Sông có khúc, người có lúc" - Lịch sử nước ta không hiếm những trường hợp có những người lúc đầu phản bội tổ quốc và dân tộc, nhưng sau này trở thành những người có đóng góp có ích cho Tổ quốc. Đối với những người công giáo cực đoan đang chơi trò "cầu nguyện" hiện nay ở Hà Nội, vẫn chưa muộn để họ nhìn lại hành động phi pháp và phản lại quyền lợi của đất nước, để quay về với hàng ngũ của người công giáo chân chính và trở về với đại cộng đồng dân tộc để cùng nhau xây dựng một nước Việt Nam giàu, mạnh và đoàn kết.   more »

Apr. 14th, 2009 at 6:38 AM Kết thúc chuyến thăm viếng Việt Nam 3 ngày, thượng nghị sĩ Đảng Cộng Hòa Mỹ, chủ tịch Ủy Ban Quốc Phòng Thượng Viện có cuộc tiếp xúc với sinh viên và đọc bài diễn văn tại Học Viện Ngoại Giao tại Hà Nội với lời lẽ cứng rắn, cương quyết, tuy không như trước đây tại Sàigon, Nghị Sĩ Mc Cain đã đưa ra nhận xét rằng: Kẻ xấu đã chiến thắng tại Việt Nam... Lần nầy Nghị Sĩ Mc Cain mềm mỏng hơn, nhưng không kém cương quyết. Ông nói: “Việt Nam đã có tiến bộ về mặt kinh tế. Nhưng Việt Nam cần phải có bước tiến mới, tiến triển về dân chủ, thay đổi chính trị. Phải trả tự do cho tất cả những người bất đồng chính kiến bị bắt giam. Có như thế Việt Nam mới sớm hội nhập vào với thế giới văn minh nhân loại sau khi Việt Nam được thu nhận vào tổ chức Tự Do Mậu Dịch Thế Giới (WTO) và được Hoa Kỳ dành cho quy chế Thường Trực và Bình Thường Mậu Dịch (PNTR). Đề cập đến khía cạnh quốc phòng Thượng Nghị Sĩ Mc Cain nói: Việt Nam và Hoa Kỳ cần nâng cao hơn sự hợp tác quốc phòng nhằm bảo vệ an ninh chung cho khu vực Châu Á Thái Bình Dương...”. Sự kiện, chủ tịch Ủy Ban Quốc Phòng Thượng Viện Mỹ đến Việt Nam sau khi Trung Cộng thiết lập căn cứ hải quân Tam Á và xây dựng khu trú ẩn cho tàu ngầm nguyên tử tại đảo Hải Nam là một sự kiện quan trọng. Quan trọng hơn nữa sau khi hải quân Trung Cộng đối đầu với tàu nghiên cứu Hải Dương Học của Mỹ trong khu vực lãnh hải quốc tế mà Trung Cộng cho rằng tàu này do thám sự di chuyển của tàu ngầm Trung Cộng dưới đại dương và xâm hại lãnh hải của họ (?) chuyến thăm Việt Nam của Nghị Sĩ Mc Cain chỉ sau một tháng Đô Đốc Robert Willard Tư Lệnh Hạm Đội Thứ 7 Thái Bình Dương Hoa Kỳ đến Hà Nội và đã có các cuộc họp với giới chức quốc phòng CSVN, điều nầy cho thấy Hoa Kỳ rất quan tâm đến sự bành trướng sức mạnh quân sự trong khu vực Thái Bình Dương trong thời gian qua của Trung Cộng, trong đó có việc Hải Quân Trung Cộng đưa một tàu chiến được cải biến thành “Tàu Tuần Tra Ngư Nghiệp” đến khu vực tranh lãnh hải giữa Trung Cộng, Việt Nam, Phi Luật Tân chưa được Liên Hiệp Quốc giải quyết. Những lời khuyến cáo của Thượng Nghị Sĩ John Mc Cain, chủ tịch Ủy Ban Quốc Phòng Thượng Viện dành cho những kẻ cầm quyền tại Việt Nam về Tự Do Dân Chủ cần phải có tại Việt Nam, Đảng CSVN không thể tiếp tục tướt đoạt các quyền căn bản của con người tại Việt Nam như Quyền Tự Do Tín Ngưỡng, Tự Do Ngôn Luận, Tự Do Hội Họp, thành lập hội đoàn v.v...nếu những lời khuyến cáo của Nghị Sĩ Mc Cain không được những kẻ cầm quyền tại Việt Nam lắng nghe, nhất là đối với những ủy viên cao cấp trong bộ chính trị Trung Ương Đảng CSVN, vốn là những kẻ không bao giờ biết lắng nghe lẽ phải, biết quan tâm đến đời sống khó khăn của dân chúng trong nước và nhu cầu về quốc phòng hiện nay Việt Nam đang cần và phải có để đương đầu với sức mạnh hải quân của Trung Cộng hiện nay đang đe dọa vùng lãnh hải của Việt Nam thì có thể viện trợ Quân Sự của Mỹ sẽ tạm ngưng, mặc dù mới đây giữa Nguyễn Tấn Dũng và Bộ Trưởng Quốc Phòng Mỹ Robert Gates đã ký với nhau một hiệp ước “nâng cao sự hợp tác quốc phòng giữa Hoa Kỳ và Việt Nam”. Trong hiệp ước nầy, Hoa Kỳ sẽ viện trợ quân sự cho Việt Nam đồng thời với việc tổ chức huấn luyện quân sự cho cao cấp cho các sĩ quan quân đội CSVN trong tương lai. Nghị Sĩ Mc Cain cần theo dõi những lời khuyến cáo của ông đối với nhà cầm quyền CSVN có hiệu lực hay không? Nếu những lời khuyến cáo đó không được nhà cầm quyền CSVN quan tâm cải thiện Nhân Quyền, thay đổi bộ mặt chính trị để xứng đáng với tư cách là một “Đồng Minh Của Hoa Kỳ” thì Nghị Sĩ với tư cách Chủ Tịch Ủy Ban Quốc Phòng Thượng Viện sẽ làm gì để đưa CSVN vào quỹ đạo của Hoa Kỳ? Chứ không thể chỉ có đánh trống xong buông dùi như một số chính khách Mỹ từng làm./- Tags: Nguyễn Hương Nhân http://vantuyen.livejournal.com/112011.html OPEN FOR FULL ARTICLE http://vietamreview.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2009/4/14/4153337.html See the Voice of America Vietnamese News article with comments by Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch: http://www.voanews.com/vietnamese/2009-04-13-voa17.cfm    more »

Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam April 7, 2009 It has been more than five years since I last visited Vietnam, and on this occasion I am reminded again of the extraordinary strides Vietnam has made in recent years. Poverty has fallen dramatically, trade is up, living standards have risen, and Vietnam has normalized relations not only with the United States, but with much of the world. Perhaps emblematic of this progress – and of Vietnam’s future potential on the world stage – is Vietnam’s current membership on the United Nations Security Council. .................................... And three years ago, the United States extended Permanent Normal Trading Relations status to Vietnam, paving the way for its entrance into the World Trade Organization. The same year, Vietnam hosted President Bush at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Hanoi .............................................................................. It has been a remarkable series of developments, and our two countries have come this very long way together. And yet we would not have come this far were it not for the support of Americans who once served in Vietnam in another time, and for the commitment of those Vietnamese officials who wished to build a better future for their people. America and Vietnam have moved on from the past. Each of us has found, in a new era, a place of friendship for a former adversary. Today, the hardest work of normalization is behind us. The time has come, I believe, for us to move from the normalization of our bilateral relations to a modernization of our ties commensurate with Vietnam’s rising status in the region and in the world. We should not simply rest on our laurels and allow the relationship to plateau. It is time to take the next step. The further strengthening of our relationship should occur not only because of the unprecedented economic transformation of Vietnam and the extraordinary progress of our relations in the last two decades, but also because of the historic shift of economic power from the western world to Asia. As the rise of China demonstrates so vividly, Asia is gaining in prosperity relative to the rest of the world with each passing year. In light of this phenomenon, some experts have decreed the American century a thing of the past and have declared this the “Asian century.” To call it such, however, embraces a kind of zero-sum thinking that is itself rooted in the past. U.S. and Asian ascendancy are not mutually exclusive, nor should we let them become so. If leaders on both continents grasp the opportunity inherent in this essential truth, we can usher in an unprecedented era: a 21st century that is both American and Asian. And in this new era, I believe, Vietnam will have a critical role to play...........Resisting the anti-globalization forces requires certain actions in Vietnam as well. By improving lawful governance and further opening this society, your already dynamic economy will thrive even more. By modernizing your infrastructure and embracing clean environmental principles, Vietnam can reap more of the benefits the global economic system offers. Such steps are, I believe, not simply desirable, but necessary...........This change - which includes expanding social freedoms, allowing greater freedom of expression, releasing all individuals imprisoned for peacefully expressing their views, improving human rights, and widening the scope for political activity – would be of historic magnitude. Tolerance of competing views is a sign of strength, not weakness, and if there is one trait that the people of Vietnam have exhibited over the decades, it is strength. The world has taken note of signs of political change in China, ranging from local elections to a more independent legislature to a more independent and robust judiciary. By taking steps toward greater political liberalization here, Vietnam has the chance not simply to match these accomplishments but to surpass them. You could become a model for others to emulate. And you would ensure that, over time, relations with the United States are anchored not in the shifting sands of mutual economic and security interests, but in the bedrock of shared values. Vietnam’s leaders are the custodians of extraordinary accomplishments that in a very short time have transformed an economy and a people. You are responsible for protecting and extending those accomplishments, just as America’s leaders are responsible for encouraging the progress of our society. The last century, even with its terrible wars and untold hardships, will surely be considered great among the epochs of history for the overall advance of freedom over its opposite, prosperity over poverty, the rights of all over the privileges of a few. This task is not yet complete, however, not in Washington and not in Hanoi. History has assigned humanity’s further progress to us; to the world’s leaders who have the responsibility to see us through our present difficulties without losing faith in the principles and practices that have advanced the fortunes of mankind beyond the most hopeful expectations of previous generations. That is our shared responsibility, and it is an honor I welcome, as I welcome the privilege today of addressing a new generation of leaders in this country, who with a new generation of leaders in mine, will write a new and better chapter in the history of relations between Vietnam and the United States Nguồn:Ðại sứ quán Hoa Kỳ tại Việt Nam    more »

A - Những căn cứ: + Căn cứ vào “Tuyên ngôn Tự do Dân chủ cho Việt Nam 2006”, được công bố vào ngày 8 tháng 4 năm 2006 (gọi tắt là “Tuyên ngôn 8406”). (1). + Căn cứ vào văn kiện “Tiến trình dân chủ hóa Việt Nam”, ngày 22 tháng 8 năm 2006 của Khối 8406. (2). + Căn cứ vào “Cương lĩnh của Khối 8406”, ngày 8 tháng 10 năm 2006 (3). + Căn cứ vào yêu cầu xây dựng và phát triển của Khối 8406 hiện nay. B - Ban đại diện lâm thời Khối 8406 QUYẾT ĐỊNH: Điều 1: Nay thành lập “Văn phòng hoạt động của Khối 8406 tại vùng Bắc California – Hoa Kỳ” (viết tắt là: “Khối 8406 – Văn phòng hoạt động Bắc California” hoặc: “K. 8406 – VPHĐ Bắc Cali”). Điều 2: “K8406 – VPHĐ Bắc Cali” hoạt động với nhiệm kỳ 2 năm, có các Ban cố vấn, Ban điều phối, Ban thông tin, Ban tài chính và Ban giám sát để thực hiện những mục tiêu, nhiệm vụ, được quy định trong kế hoạch đính kèm (phần phụ lục). Điều 3: “Khối 8406 – Văn Phòng Hoạt Động - Bắc California” nhiệm kỳ thứ nhất sẽ hoạt động từ 8/4/2009 đến 8/4/2011. Trưởng Ban điều phối “K8406-VPHĐ Bắc Cali” được đề cử có tính cách luân phiên giữa các thành viên trong Ban Điều phối, và có nhiệm vụ phụ trách tổng quát để giải quyết các công việc hàng ngày của Văn phòng, phù hợp với những căn cứ nói ở điều (A). Việc bổ nhiệm và bãi nhiệm “K. 8406 ‒ VPHĐ Bắc Cali” do Ban điều hành lâm thời Khối 8406 trong nước quyết định. Việt Nam, ngày 28 tháng 3 năm 2009. Ban Đại diện lâm thời Khối 8406 1- Kỹ sư Đỗ Nam Hải, Sài Gòn – Việt Nam 2- Giáo sư Nguyễn Chính Kết (đang vận động dân chủ tại Hoa Kỳ) 3- Cựu sĩ quan Trần Anh Kim, Thái Bình – Việt Nam 4- Linh mục Phan Văn Lợi, Huế - Việt Nam. Nơi nhận: - Các thành viên Ban đại diện lâm thời Khối 8406 (để thực hiện) - Các thành viên Ban cố vấn, Ban điều phối, Ban giám sát “Văn phòng hoạt động của Khối 8406 tại vùng Bắc California – Hoa Kỳ” (để thực hiện) - Các thành viên Khối 8406 (để thông đạt) - Các cơ quan truyền thông (để phổ biến) - Lưu văn phòng Khối 8406. Chú thích: (1) http://vankiencoban.blogspot.com/2008/10/tuyenngontudodanchu2006.html (2) http://vankiencoban.blogspot.com/2008/10/tientrinhdanchuhoavietnam.htm (3) http://vankiencoban.blogspot.com/2008/10/cuonglinhkhoi8406.html   more »

What’s at stake: the readoption of Father Ly (Reverend Nguyen Van Ly) of Viet Nam by Group 19, Amnesty International USA. Amnesty International Group 19 in Palo Alto, California, is the re-adoption campaign manager for Father Nguyen Van Ly, imprisoned in Viet Nam after an infamous trial on March 30, 2007, in which his mouth was muzzled by a Security Officer in the courtroom when he tried to speak. Father Ly is once again a Prisoner of Conscience in the Individuals at Risk program of Amnesty International USA in Atlanta, Georgia, while he begins his 17th year in totality of imprisonment since 1977. He has been in solitary confinement at BaSao prison for the past two years. Father Ly is one of the organizers of the online petition calling for Constitutional reform and free elections signed first by 118 Vietnamese citizens on April 08, 2006. Many of the signators, known as Bloc 8406, are in prison in Viet Nam since that internet publication. Father Ly is an editor of an internet newspaper, “Tu Do Ngon Luan” (Free Speech). Four others who assisted him were also accused of 'propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam'. Nguyen Phong and Nguyen Binh Thanh were given prison sentences of five and six years and the remaining two, both women, were given eighteen months suspended jail terms with house arrest. At least 30 dissidents have been handed down long prison sentences since the most recent wave of arrests began in 2006. An unknown number of others are held in pre-trial detention. The authorities also use administrative detention to place restrictions on the peaceful activities of religious and political dissidents such as the Venerable Thich Quang Do, Patriarch of the Unified Buddhist church of Viet Nam, under house arrest at the monastery for more than twenty-five years. In a trial in the city of Hue on 30 March 2007, Father Nguyen Van Ly was sentenced to eight years in prison for "conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" under Article 88 (1a-c) of the Penal Code. Human rights conditions in Viet Nam are under periodic (every four years) review by the United Nations Human Relations Council on May 8, 2009. The United States is not a member of this body, having been rejected for re-election to the predecessor organization, the UN Human Rights Commission, in 2001. At the same time, well-known repressive states such as Sudan and Uganda, were elected. This caused so much criticism worldwide over the effectiveness of the UN Human Rights Commission that it was scrapped in 2006, with the implementation of the U.N. Human Relations Council which has periodic reviews of the member states. The United States voted against the resolution forming the Council in 2006. The Obama administration announced on April 1, 2009 that it is seeking election to a seat on the UNHRC on the grounds of inclusion as the best means of solution to international issues of human rights. Amnesty International plays an active role in the deliberations of the UNHRC as an NGO which submits reviews of human rights records of member states. The review of Viet Nam is addressed by a group of NGO (NonGovernmental Organizations) from submission made by procedural rules in November 2008. Amnesty International is one of these organizations, who are called 'stakeholders' in United Nations protocol. Conditions in Viet Nam expressed by Amnesty International are excerpted here: OPEN ARTICLE FOR FULL TEXT ************************************************************************************* Other stakeholders who submitted reports on human rights in Viet Nam include Human Rights Watch, the International Federation of Human Rights and Viet Nam Committee on Human Rights (FIDH and VCHR), and International PEN. HISTORY: In September 1977, Father Ly was arrested for distributing two essays by Archbishop Nguyen Kim Dien critical of the government’s religious repression. He was given a 20 year sentence and sent to a labor camp near Hue. Several months later, authorities released Father Ly, but prohibited him from engaging in religious activities. Again from 1983-1992 he was in prison for his activism in support of freedom of expression and religion, leading a pilgrimage. In October 2001, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his online publication of an essay on human rights violations in Vietnam and was a Prisoner of Conscience of Amnesty International and International PEN. He was released under amnesty in February 2005. In a trial in the city of Hue on 30 March 2007, Catholic priest Nguyen Van Ly, aged 60, was sentenced to eight years in prison for “conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam” under Article 88 of the Penal Code. Accusations leveled against him included involvement in the pro-democracy movement Bloc 8406 and taking part in the establishment of banned political groups. Group 19 in California welcomed a former Prisoner of Conscience who was released by the Vietnamese authorities in 1991 after an international writing campaign, the dissident poet Nguyen Chi Thien. His final imprisonment was at Ba Sao Camp, in a communal cell with Father Nguyen Van Ly. The two were imprisoned on the same charge: ‘conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.’ Nguyen Chi Thien’s propaganda was poetry, which he composed in his memory while incarcerated for a total of twenty-seven years beginning in 1961 in North Vietnam. During a brief period of release in 1979 he ran into the British Embassy in Hanoi with a manuscript which he asked to have published “in the Free World.” Although he was not given asylum by the Embassy, the diplomats sent the manuscript of 400 poems to the Foreign Office in London, where it was given to Professor Patrick Honey of the School of Oriental and African Studies. In 1984 a translation of “Flowers From Hell” by Huynh Sanh Thong was published in bilingual text by the Yale Council on Southeast Asia Studies. In 1985 the volume won the International Poetry Prize in Rotterdam while the author was in prison in Hanoi (the ‘Hanoi Hilton’). It was not known whether the author were alive or dead. The poet Nguyen Chi Thien, who immigrated to the United States in 1995 and is now an American citizen, has this statement for Amnesty International on March 27, 2009: “To Amnesty International for what they have done to save political dissidents from jail! My profoundest gratitude.” And to the government of Viet Nam on the occasion of United Nations Human Relations Council Review on May 8, 2009: “If a country respects human rights and liberty it will become stronger and more powerful in prestige and international relations. Therefore, the Vietnamese government had better release Father Ly and other political prisoners. There are many examples to prove this viewpoint: the United States of America, France, England, the Netherlands, and Japan all developed peacefully and rapidly. Prison is not a good solution to consolidate the Regime. Almost all dictatorships collapsed, which is a good history lesson.” Nguyen Chi Thien http://vietamreview.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2009/4/5/4144621.html *********************************************** Jean Libby, editor VietAm Review Member, Amnesty International USA Group 19 Case coordinator for Individual at Risk Reverend Nguyen Van Ly   more »

Human rights conditions in Viet Nam are under periodic (every four years) review by the United Nations Human Relations Council on May 8, 2009. The United States is not a member of this body, having been rejected for re-election to a seat to the predecessor organization, the UN Human Relations Commission in 2001. Under the Bush administration, the U.S. voted against formation of the new body, the UN Human Relations Council, in 2006. The Obama administration announced yesterday (April 1, 2009) it is seeking membership on the grounds of inclusion as the best means of solution to international issues of human rights. **************************************************************** The periodic review of Viet Nam is addressed by twelve NGO (NonGovernmental Organizations) from submission made by procedural rules in November 2008. The review of Viet Nam is addressed by a group of NGO (NonGovernmental Organizations) from submission made by procedural rules in November 2008. Amnesty International is one of these organizations, who are called 'stakeholders' in United Nations protocol. Conditions in Viet Nam expressed by Amnesty International are excerpted here: 36. AI stated that the authorities frequently use provisions of the Penal Code to stifle freedom of expression, including criticism of government policies, and reference to issues considered as politically sensitive.46 AI further stated that the authorities continue to try to control and restrict Internet traffic deemed undesirable. Many of those arrested in the on-going crackdown include lawyers, trade unionists, religious leaders and political activists who are loosely connected through Bloc 8406, an Internet based pro-democracy movement formed on 8 April 2006, and with other un-authorized political groups advocating democracy and human rights. Charges laid against dissidents often include references to sending and placing information on the Internet aimed at “slandering” and “distorting” government policies. 37. AI called on the Government to: repeal or amend provisions in the 1999 Penal Code to ensure that ambiguous provisions relating to national security are clearly defined or removed, so they cannot be applied in an arbitrary manner to stifle legitimate dissent, debate, opposition and freedom of expression; repeal provisions in the 1999 Penal Code allowing house arrest or probation used to violate freedom of expression and assembly; and remove all restrictions and arbitrary interference on the operation and use of the Internet that violate the right to freedom of expression and end practices, such as censorship, and surveillance. 38. AI further called on the Government to: end restrictions on the right to practice one’s religion of choice without discrimination, in accordance with Article 69 and 70 of the Constitution as well as international human rights law; ensure that relevant authorities are aware of their duty to protect individuals’ right to freedom of religion; take measures to ensure protection of the right to peaceful expression of political beliefs; take all necessary measures to end restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly; ensure that police officers are made aware of their duty to protect the human rights of all individuals; immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience; and invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression to visit Viet Nam. *********************************************************************************** Other stakeholders who submitted reports on human rights in Viet Nam include Human Rights Watch, the International Federation of Human Rights and Viet Nam Committee on Human Rights (FIDH and VCHR), and International PEN. Stephen Denney, country coordinator of Viet Nam for Amnesty International USA, sends the following references: OPEN ARTCLE FOR URLs. *********************************************************************** Amnesty International Group 19 in Palo Alto, California, is the re-adoption campaign manager for Father Nguyen Van Ly, imprisoned in Viet Nam after an infamous trial on March 30, 2007, in which his mouth was muzzled by a Security Officer in the courtroom when he tried to speak. Father Ly is once again a Prisoner of Conscience in the Individuals at Risk program of Amnesty International USA while he begins his 17th year in totality of imprisonment since 1976. He has been in solitary confinement at BaSao prison for the past two years. Petitions which address the periodic review of Viet Nam by the UNHRC, in English and in Vietnamese, are ttached to this full posting and to the photograph on my blog, VietAm Review. The deadline for return to Amnesty International Group 19 is April 30, 2009. The signed petitions will be sent to the VN Embassy in Washington D.C., with copies to the US Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate in HCM City.    more »

UPDATE: United States seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. Daily Press Conference, April 1, 2009 QUESTION: According to The Washington Post, the Obama Administration has decided to seek a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, reversing a decision by the Bush Administration to shun the UN’s premier rights body to protest the repressive states among its membership. Do you have anything on that? MR. DUGUID: We released a statement on this yesterday. I trust that you have seen that. QUESTION: Yes. MR. DUGUID: The statement was fairly extensive. And yes, we are going to seek a seat on the Human Rights Council. We believe that by engaging in the council that we can advance the cause of human rights around the globe. This is a part of the active engagement by the Obama Administration, and we look forward to participating in this forum. QUESTION: Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, said that this decision was a part of engagement in U.S. foreign policy. Any response to this effect? MR. DUGUID: I think Ambassador Rice speaks for the Department on this issue, as it is a UN forum. I don’t have anything to add to earlier remarks. QUESTION: And the last. Any response to the decision which was criticized by the U.S. conservatives who regarded the council as fatally flawed? MR. DUGUID: I think I’ve explained earlier that we feel that by engaging we can improve the record of the Human Rights Council and we can try and improve human rights around the world by this engagement. QUESTION: Thank you, sir. MR. DUGUID: Thank you. QUESTION: Recently, you announced U.S. is running for a seat on UN Human Rights Council, which Bush Administration opposed to. MR. WOOD: Right. QUESTION: Is that decision based on the policy review on Bush Administration’s human right policy? MR. WOOD: Okay, our – the reason why we have decided to seek election to the Human Rights Council is because after this review – and it was a very thorough review that was undertaken by the Administration – we believe that it’s important to try to promote human rights by being in the council instead of outside. And as Secretary Clinton and President Obama have said, human rights is at the forefront of our foreign policy. And we believe that the only way that we can make the changes that we want to see in the Human Rights Council is to be in that council. And so that was the basis of the decision. ********************************************************************************** East Asia and the Pacific: UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Calls for Release of Political Prisoners in Burma Tuesday, March 24, 2009 3:07 PM From: "U.S. Department of State" To: editor@vietamreview.net East Asia and the Pacific: UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Calls for Release of Political Prisoners in Burma Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:52:44 -0500 UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Calls for Release of Political Prisoners in Burma Robert Wood Acting Department Spokesman, Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 24, 2009 The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued opinions today affirming that the continued detentions of Aung San Suu Kyi, Aung Myin, Ko Jimmy, Paw Oo Tun, and Mtay Win Aung are arbitrary and unjustified and that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi is in contravention of Burma’s own law. The U.N. working group urged the Burmese government to release these individuals immediately. We are disappointed that the regime continues to ignore the calls of the international community, including the UN Security Council, to release the more than 2,100 political prisoners immediately and unconditionally. We once again urge the Burmese authorities to release all political prisoners and initiate a genuine dialogue that can help move the country forward. # # # PRN: 2009/254 *********************************************************************    more »