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

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

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

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

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

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 »

Jean: REFERENCE: email A TRAITOR IS ABOUT TO BE HONORED This email has been circulating for around for more than 10 years. As much as I dislike the treasonous and lying Jane Fonda who has never apologized to the Vietnam Veterans, I also dislike disinformation. I must inform you that the email "Jane Fonda is being honored as one of the "100 Women of the Century." is a hoax (see: http://www.snopes.com/military/fonda.asp ). Although both Jerry Driscoll and Larry Carrigan were tortured by the North Vietnamese, both say what is stated in this email never happened and is a hoax. You can find their disclaimer on the NAMPOW webpage. Besides, why would the pilots hand anything to Jane Fonda for the North Vietnamese regularly broadcast propaganda programs featuring Jane Fond's ilk. At least give the POWs some credit for not being brainwashed and stupid. The third part was excerpted from an article I wrote, "Not Fonda Jane", that was published in U.S. Veterans Dispatch. However, the hoaxter cherry picked what he wanted from my article and put his own ending. People researching the POW/MIA issues say that they cannot find any evidence in government archives that RONALD D. SAMPSON, CMSgt, USAF ever existed. Unfortunately, you have fallen victim to an URBAN LEGEND. Regards, Mike Benge VN POW '68-73 UPDATE from Jean Libby: today, September 18, 2009, President Barack Obama declared in honor of POW/MIA American veterans and active military in Iraq and Afghanistan.    more »

Democracy, Human Rights, Refugees: U.S. Assumes Seat on the UN Human Rights Council Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:02:50 -0500 U.S. Assumes Seat on the UN Human Rights Council Esther Brimmer Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs Remarks Before the High-Level Session of the Human Rights Council New York City September 14, 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you, Mr. President. It is indeed an honor and a privilege to address the Council today on this important occasion for my country. The United States is pleased to join the rest of our colleagues on the Human Rights Council. It is with a sense of mutual respect that we take our place on the Council, next to the friends and partners we will work with to forge common ground on one of the most fundamental roles of the state: to protect and advance human rights. The charge of the Human Rights Council ties closely to the United States’ own history and culture. Freedom of speech, expression and belief. Due process. Equal rights for all. These enduring principles have animated some of the proudest moments in America’s journey. These human rights and fundamental freedoms are, in effect, a part of our national DNA, just as they are a part of the DNA of the United Nations. And yet, we recognize that the United States’ record on human rights is imperfect. Our history includes lapses and setbacks, and there remains a great deal of work to be done. But our history is a story of progress. Indeed, my presence here today is a testament to that progress, as is the Administration I serve. It is the President’s hope and my own that we can continue that momentum at home and around the world. Our decision to join the Human Rights Council was not entered into lightly, and was reached based on a clear and hopeful vision of what can be accomplished here. Our vision is not merely made in America, but rather reflects the aspirations embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the mandate of the Human Rights Council itself. Building on those bedrock foundations, the United States’ aspirations for the Human Rights Council encompass several key themes. The first is universality. Last year we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The principles contained there are as resonant today as they were when Eleanor Roosevelt led the Commission that enshrined them. We can not pick and choose which of these rights we embrace nor select who among us are entitled to them. We are all endowed at birth with the right to live in dignity, to follow our consciences and speak our minds without fear, to choose those who govern us, to hold our leaders accountable, and to enjoy equal justice under the law. These rights extend to all, and the United States can not accept that any among us would be condemned to live without them. The second is dialogue. The Human Rights Council is unique in its ability to draw together countries for serious, fact-based and forward looking debate on human rights abuses. We will strive for discussions that are thoughtful, focused and open to all viewpoints and perspectives. Geneva is the place for this critical dialogue, and the United States will be an active and constructive participant. This dialogue is a long-term proposition. We will not resolve our differences overnight, nor end abuses with the wave of a hand or even the passage of a resolution. Creativity, flexibility and sensitivity will be demanded all around. We approach this mindful of the long-haul, ready to devote the time it takes to build understanding and shared will to act. The third is principle. We have come together as Human Rights Council members on the basis of shared principles. Our challenge lies in taking these principles - reflected in the Universal Declaration and many other broad based human rights instruments - and applying them in an even-handed way to situations that defy easy resolution. Defending our core principles from compromise and applying them fairly under all circumstances will require steadfastness and courage from all of us. The fourth is truth. Make no mistake; the United States will not look the other way in the face of serious human rights abuses. The truth must be told, the facts brought to light and the consequences faced. While we will aim for common ground, we will call things as we see them and we will stand our ground when the truth is at stake. These four principles – universality, dialogue, principle and truth will guide us as we turn attention to a series of key issues in the coming months. The United States will work with others to address the most egregious human rights abuses at the Council. The United States is inspired by the impassioned demands of human rights defenders under siege around the world who look to us and to the Council for action. We are also motivated by the pernicious machinations of countries seeking to obscure and deny their abuses. Country-specific resolutions demonstrate our collective will to address some of the most important human rights situations around the world. They provide space for human rights defenders to carry out their valiant work and, through the work of the mandate holders, offer monitoring mechanisms and recommendations that can guide reform. We urge states to support the independence of human rights special procedures as vital resources in the fight for human rights. As President Obama expressed in his June speech in Cairo, the United States seeks to build cooperation based upon mutual interest and mutual respect. To that end, the United States is dedicated to working with other nations who share our commitment to protecting freedom of expression and fighting against discrimination and negative stereotyping. The HRC is designed to offer a forum for governments to address difficult issues, and it is vitally important that we find ways to work together on these themes. The United States believes that governments have a responsibility to condemn hateful speech and to promote respect and tolerance. We also believe fundamentally that that the best way to fight intolerance and hate is through open and free debate and discussion of ideas - in such an open environment hateful and racist remarks are held up to bright light of public scrutiny and seen for the scourge they are. We will ask others to stand with us in supporting the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose stature makes her an indispensible voice on human rights issues worldwide. The United States is proud to be the OHCHR’s top donor. The OHCHR, working through its local and regional offices, serves as an “early warning system” ringing alarm bells to draw attention to human rights abuses. The United States is dedicated to ensuring the operational independence of the OHCHR and will continue to support its technical assistance activities across the globe. As the United States seeks to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms across the globe, we embrace a commitment to live up to these ideals at home and to meet our international human rights obligations. Along these lines, the United States looks forward to the upcoming UPR process, which is an opportunity for both self-reflection and transparency. We anticipate a thought-provoking process with our colleagues on the Council and in civil society that culminates in a review that demonstrates progress as well as areas of unfulfilled potential. Finally, we will join with you to reinforce the importance of accountability and good governance within the Council, ensuring that our own operations and deliberations reflect the values we are entrusted to uphold. And we will seek to enhance the Council’s impact through a productive and effective review of the Council in 2011. We hope others will join us in approaching that process mindful of our shared principles but open to creative new approaches. International peace and security and global prosperity are strengthened when human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected and protected. We recognize and value the importance of this institution in promoting human rights norms and rallying our collective will to address human rights abuses where they occur. To this end, we have set a goal for this Council as elusive as it is simple. Progress. It is the same goal that my countrymen and women set for ourselves, and it is the same goal that we continue to hold ourselves to today. It is also, I believe, the most basic expression of what we all hope for in this Council today and going forward. So, to that end, let us endeavor to end this session with a more strengthened and robust human rights mechanism than we had before we gathered here today. Thank you.   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 »

Vietnam Committee on Human Rights Que Me: Action for Democracy in Vietnam BP 60063 - 94472 Boissy Saint Léger cedex - France Tel: +33 1 45 98 30 85 - Fax: +33 1 45 98 32 61 E-mail: queme@free.fr - Web: http://www.queme.net **************************************************************** For immediate release Paris, 7 September 2009 United Nations’ Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemns unlawful imprisonment of government critics in Vietnam PARIS, 7 September 2009 (VIETNAM COMMITTEE) - The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, a prominent body which reviews cases of unlawful imprisonment, has declared that several Vietnamese dissidents are wrongfully detained, in violation of international human rights laws. They include blogger Nguyen Hoang Hai (Dieu Cay), writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, activists Pham Van Troi, Pham Thanh Nghien, Vu Hung, Ngo Quynh and Nguyen Van Tuc, journalists Truong Minh Duc, Nguyen Van Hai and Nguyen Viet Chien. Several are awaiting trial or have been convicted to prison terms for criticizing Vietnam’s policies, notably their policies on China. The UN Working Group called on Vietnam to “take the necessary steps to remedy the[ir] situation”, and immediately release Truong Minh Duc, who is reportedly in poor health. In “Opinion 1/2009”, adopted at its 54th Session in Geneva (1), the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared that Pham Van Troi, Nguyen Xuan Nghia, Ms. Pham Thanh Nghien, Vu Hung, Ngo Quynh and Nguyen Van Tuc, arrested in September 2008 and still awaiting trial in connection with peaceful demonstrations on the Spratly and Paracel islands, are arbitrarily detained because their actions “merely represent the peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of assembly and opinion and expression”. The Working Group expressed particular concern about high-school teacher Vu Hung, who has reportedly been dismissed from his post. Blogger Nguyen Hoang Hai, sentenced to 30 months in prison on 10.9.2008 by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on charges of “tax evasion”, had posted articles on the Internet contesting China’s claims on the Paracel and Spratly Islands, and taken part in demonstrations. Considering the “peacefulness and legitimacy” of his journalistic and political activities “which was not contested by the Vietnamese Government”, the UN Working Group concluded that his detention represented “an attempt to stifle the exercise of his rights to freedom of opinion and expression and of peaceful assembly”. The Working Group considered the case of free-lance journalist Truong Minh Duc to be a “particularly serious case of arbitrary detention”. Accused of “taking advantage of democratic freedoms and rights to infringe upon the interests of the State” (Article 258 of the Criminal Code), he was sentenced to 5 years in prison on 28.3.2008 in Kien Giang province for writing articles on official corruption. Given the harsh prison sentence and the journalists’ “poor status of health due to harsh detention conditions”, the UN Working Group called for his immediate release. Whilst two other journalists, Nguyen Van Hai (Tuoi Tre magazine) and Nguyen Viet Chien (Thanh Nien newspaper), sentenced respectively to 2 years prison and 2 years re-education in 2008 for reporting on a high-level corruption scandal, have since been released due to international pressure, the UN Working Group nevertheless declared that their conviction on charges of “abusing job title and power” was arbitrary. Their activities fell “squarely within the scope of the right to freedom of opinion and expression”, and the exercise of their professional capacities, the Working Group said. The UN Working Group also denounced Vietnam’s use of “broad criminal law provisions” such as Article 258 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code “which make “taking advantage of democratic freedoms and rights to abuse the interests of the State” a crime”. The Working Group esteemed that these provisions are “inconsistent with any of the rights and liberties guaranteed by the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Vietnam is a State Party”. Article 258 is punishable with up to 7 years in prison. This announcement comes as Vietnam intensifies a crackdown on writers and journalists who have criticized Communist Party policies online. On 2nd September, blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh (blog name Me Nam, “Mushroom Mother”) was arrested in Nha Trang on charges of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State” (Article 258 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code, which carries up to 7 years in prison). On 25 August, journalist Huy Duc was fired from the Saigon Tiep Thi Newspaper after the Communist Party complained about his blog “Osin”. Two others, Hanoi blogger Bui Thanh Hieu (blog name Nguoi Buon Gio, Wind Trader), and Pham Doan Trang, an editor of a top-ranked news Website VietnamNet (blog-name “Trang the Ridiculous”), arrested on 27-28 August, have since been released. All of them had criticized the Communist Party’s submissive attitude to China on issues of territorial sovereignty, notably China’s claims to the disputed Paracel and Spratly archipelagos, and the government’s backing of a highly controversial Bauxite mining project in the Central Highlands, which has been tendered to a Chinese company. Five other government critics, including human rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Le Thang Long, Nguyen Tien Trung and Tran Anh Kim, arrested since May 2009, face prosecution for similar “acts against the Vietnamese State”, and 27 others are under investigation, according to the official press.-- --------------------------------- (1) This Opinion was adopted at the 54th Session of the UN Working Group which met in Geneva in May 2009. Following the Working Group’s procedures, the Opinion must first be forwarded to the Vietnamese government. It remains confidential until the UN Working Group decides to make it public and sends a copy to the source. The Vietnam Committee on Human Rights has just received this copy from the UN Working Group in Geneva.   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 »