Vietnamese American Review by Jean Libby, editor

Letter from U. S. Representatives for the release of Father Ly, November 19 2009. Represetatives Chris Smith and Loretta Sanchez, authors. Committee for Religious Freedom in Vietnam, Vietnamese translation.

Viet-Am Review — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:53:00 -0800

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

Letter from Members of Congress for immediate release of Rev. Nguyen Van Ly. BBC news, author. Translation by Faithful Follower

Viet-Am Review — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:21:00 -0800

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

Freedom Now Continues Intervention Efforts for Rev. Nguyen Van Ly’s Freedom. Freedom Now tiếp tục các nỗ lực can thiệp cho LM Nguyễn Văn Lý. Gia Minh, RFA Reporter. Faithful Follower, English translation.

Viet-Am Review — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:07:00 -0800

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

Health situation of Rev Nguyen Van Ly has some progress. Bệnh tình LM Nguyễn Văn Lý có tiến triển khả quan. Radio Free Asia, author. Faithful Follower, translator

Viet-Am Review — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:44:00 -0800

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

Rev. Nguyên Van Ly Has Stroke Resulting in Half Body Paralysis. Linh Mục Nguyễn Văn Lý đột quị liệt nửa người. RFA, author. Faithful Follower, English translator.

Viet-Am Review — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:33:00 -0800

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

Urgent News: Vu Hung's life in in danger. Tran Nam, DDCND, author

Viet-Am Review — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:15:00 -0800

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

USCIRF asks for CPC designation for Vietnam. USCIRF, author. Vietnamese translation by Le Minh (Sydney)

Viet-Am Review — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:43:00 -0700

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

H. R. 672 language of resolution. Honorables Loretta Sanchez and Zoe Lofgren, authors

Viet-Am Review — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:36:00 -0700

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

Viet Tan applauds passage of U.S. legislation supporting internet freedom in Vietnam. Viet Tan, author

Viet-Am Review — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:02:00 -0700

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

Statement in Support of House Resolution 672. Honorable Zoe Lofgren, author

Viet-Am Review — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:21:00 -0700

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

Six Vietnamese Writers Receive Hellman/Hammett Grants. Human Rights Watch, author.

Viet-Am Review — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:08:00 -0700

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

Eight Pro-Democracy Activists sentenced in Viet Nam. The People's Democratic Party, author.

Viet-Am Review — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:32:00 -0700

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

Amnesty International Urgent Action: Vu Hung Sentenced. English and Vietnamese

Viet-Am Review — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:14:00 -0700

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

Amnesty International Urgent Action, Nguyen Hoang Hai held incommunicado in Cai Tau prison.

Viet-Am Review — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:54:00 -0700

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

Remarks With Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem After Their Meeting. U.S. State Dept., author

Viet-Am Review — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:23:00 -0700

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

Rev. Nguyen Van Ly nominated for Sakharov Prize. Radio Free Asia, author.

Viet-Am Review — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:35:00 -0700

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

Vietnam: Government Rejects UN Proposals to Improve its Rights Record. Human Rights Watch, author.

Viet-Am Review — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:32:00 -0700

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

Current situation of Father Nguyen Van Ly in prison. Lm GB. Le Quang Quy (Vietnamese with English summary)

Viet-Am Review — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:46:00 -0700

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

Vietnam scorns UN proposals for reform in Universal Periodic Review. Que Me, author.

Viet-Am Review — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:02:00 -0700

********************************************************************* 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”.

Viet Nam should release peaceful critics. Amnesty International, author

Viet-Am Review — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:50:00 -0700

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

U.S. Congress briefed on recent imprisonment in Vietnam. John Carlson, author.

Viet-Am Review — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:05:00 -0700

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

Vietnam's War on Religion. Michael Benge, author.

Viet-Am Review — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:13:00 -0700

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.

Jane Fonda hoax is a dishonor to American veterans. Mike Benge, author

Viet-Am Review — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:33:00 -0700

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.

U.S. Assumes Seat on the UN Human Rights Council. Esther Brimmer, author.

Viet-Am Review — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:37:00 -0700

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.

Lời kêu gọi trước tình trạng sức khỏe nguy ngập của Lm Nguyễn Văn Lý và Ls Lê Thị Công Nhân. An appeal for the critical health situation of Rev Nguyen Van Ly and Lawyer Le Thi Cong Nhan – Khối 8406, author.

Viet-Am Review — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:23:00 -0700

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.

United Nations’ Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemns unlawful imprisonment of government critics in Vietnam

Viet-Am Review — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:09:00 -0700

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.

Rev Nguyen Van Ly, Lawyer Nguyen Van Dai, and Lawyer Le Cong Nhan are still imprisoned

Viet-Am Review — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:26:00 -0700

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...”

Rev Nguyen Van Ly’s health is unstable in the prison. English translation of Madam Nguyen Thi Hieu (sister of Father Ly), author

Viet-Am Review — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:09:00 -0700

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

Linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý bất ổn sức khỏe trong lao tù CS. của bà Nguyễn Thị Hiểu.

Viet-Am Review — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:12:00 -0700

Ngày 24-08-2009 vừa qua, chị ruột của linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý là bà Nguyễn Thị Hiểu và một cháu trai gọi linh mục bằng cậu ruột đã đến trại giam Ba Sao, Nam Hà thăm cha. Đây là cuộc thăm viếng sớm hơn thường lệ, vì lẽ ra phải là đầu tháng lẻ. Linh mục Lý xuất hiện, chân đi hơi cà nhắc nhưng sắc mặt vẫn bình thường, trong bộ đồ tù sọc dưa mà ngài luôn cảm thấy khó chịu. Sau khi hỏi thăm gia đình bè bạn, cha nói ngay về tình hình sức khỏe bản thân, vốn đang bị cao huyết áp (xin xem lại bản tin ngày 13-07-2009). Vị tù nhân lương tâm cho bà chị biết nhiều điều mà trong chuyến thăm ngày 09-07, cha chưa nói: “Hôm 13-05, đang đi lui đi tới trong căn phòng biệt giam chật hẹp, em tự nhiên thấy máu chảy đầy sàn nhà. Nhìn kỹ thì thấy máu xuất ra từ phần hạ thể, từ bàng quang. Toàn là máu bầm. Em kêu y tá bác sĩ. Họ liền tới xức thuốc và cho uống thuốc cầm máu. Vết thương nay đã lành. Ngày 25-05, em lại bị té trong phòng, lủng một lỗ nhỏ phía sau đầu. Trại cũng lại cho uống thuốc. Hôm 12-07, ba ngày sau chuyến thăm của gia đình, tự nhiên em cảm thấy tay phải và chân phải bị cứng đờ, không cử động được. Trại cũng cho uống thuốc chứ không chích. Thấy chuyện bất thường, ngày 14-7, em đã viết một lá thư, yêu cầu gia đình thăm đầu tháng 08. Vì tay không cử động bình thường, thành ra chữ viết rất nguệch ngoạc. Thấy chẳng có hồi âm, nên ngày 03-08 em viết thêm một lá thư nữa để gia đình biết. Lần này thì chữ viết đẹp hơn, vì phải cố gắng nhiều. Nay thì sức khỏe tạm ổn” (xin xem hình chụp bức thư bên dưới). Bà Hiểu trả lời: “Lá thư ngày 14-07 của cậu, gia đình không nhận được. Còn lá thư viết ngày 03-08 thì mới nhận hôm 22-08. Trước đó, ngày 15-08, cháu Quyên (gọi cha Lý bằng chú, đi tu dòng Đức Bà Đi Viếng tại Huế) khi gặp cha Nguyễn Hữu Giải tại La Vang thì đã được cha cho biết sức khỏe của cậu không ổn và cha đã nhận được tin cấp báo này từ Hà Nội” Linh mục Lý đáp: “Em mong từ nay được thăm nuôi hàng tháng để kịp thời thông báo về sức khỏe. Chị không đủ sức thì nhờ mấy đứa cháu. Rồi còn Tòa Tổng giám mục Huế nữa, vốn có trách nhiệm chính về em”. Đoạn cha Lý quay sang nói về chuyện khác: “Thời gian gần đây, em có yêu cầu trại để cho em có quyền chia sẻ đồ ăn thuốc uống cho các tù nhân nghèo khổ. Ban đầu trại không cho. Sau đó em tranh đấu: Nếu không cho phép tôi san sẻ thì những món quà gia đình gởi, tôi sẽ không nhận nữa, gởi trả lui hết. Là linh mục, tôi không có thể hưởng một mình được. Lương tâm của tôi không cho phép. Rất nhiều anh em tù nhân túng thiếu thức ăn thuốc uống trong trại này, tôi phải chia sẻ cho họ. Nay thì trại đã bằng lòng! Vậy xin gia đình ráng gởi ra đều đặn, để em có thể giúp cho những bạn tù không ai thăm nuôi giúp đỡ. Họ rất tội nghiệp. Nhà tù CS ra sao thì Chị biết rồi!” Quay sang viên trung tá công an tên Nam , người đặc trách “quản lý” mình từ bao năm nay, cha Lý nói một cách thẳng thừng: “Các ông giết Đức cha Nguyễn Kim Điền là sai rồi, lộn rồi! Phải giết Nguyễn Văn Lý này mới đúng! Tôi nay như người bị bệnh Sida (Aids), hết thuốc chữa rồi. Các ông bắt tôi kiểm điểm 3 tháng một lần để mong tôi thay đổi tư tưởng! Có gì mà kiểm điểm, mà thay đổi chứ! Tôi kiểm điểm các ông, kiểm điểm nhà nước này thì có. Bao nhiêu điều sai lầm và tội ác, các ông đang phạm ở Tây Nguyên, ở Thái Hà, ở Tam Tòa... Ngày nào ra khỏi đây, tôi sẽ tới những chỗ đó để hỗ trợ đồng bào, để tố cáo và phản đối tội ác của nhà cầm quyền Cộng sản…” Kết thúc cuộc nói chuyện dài hai giờ (ở đây chúng tôi chỉ tóm tắt), bà Hiểu đã để lại cho ông trung tá Nam ba số điện thoại: một của Tòa TGM Huế, một của gia đình ở Quảng Biên, một của cô em họ tại Thừa Thiên, với lời dặn: “Em tôi có chuyện gì thì xin ông báo tin ngay để gia đình và Tòa Giám mục ra gấp. Cha Lý mà chết trong tù thì mấy ông chịu trách nhiệm đó!” Cha Lý cũng xin cho mình 3 số điện thoại ấy, phòng khi ra tù thì có thể liên lạc ngay được. Trở về Huế, bà Hiểu và người cháu sáng ngày 27-08 lại đến Tòa TGM Huế, nơi bà đã ghé qua chiều ngày 23-08 để lấy bộ sách kinh cho cha Lý nơi linh mục Quản lý Nhà Chung. Bà mong gặp Đức TGM Nguyễn Như Thể để thông báo tình hình. Linh mục Quản lý cho biết Đức TGM đi vắng nên bà hãy đến gặp Đức Giám mục Phụ tá Lê Văn Hồng. Gặp ĐGM Phụ tá, bà Hiểu thẳng thắn nêu ra hai điểm: “1- Xin Tòa TGM Huế yêu cầu nhà cầm quyền CS không được biệt giam cha Lý nữa. Việc biệt giam là một hình phạt kỷ luật trong nhà tù. Với tình trạng sức khỏe hiện tại, nếu tiếp tục bị biệt giam, cha Lý có thể lâm cơn nguy tử mà không ai biết, không ai cứu kịp. 2- Tòa TGM có trách nhiệm chính đối với cha Lý, con cái của Giáo phận Huế. Gia đình đi thăm là chỉ vì lý do máu mủ thôi! Với lại gia đình ở quá xa, không thể mỗi tháng đi thăm nuôi một lần. Đức Cha biết rồi đó, Ủy hội Tự do Tôn giáo quốc tế Hoa Kỳ, trong chuyến thăm cha Lý ngày 13-05-2009, đã chê rằng gia đình đi thăm nuôi cha Lý 2 tháng một lần là quá ít. Trong khi đó Tòa TGM mỗi năm chỉ thăm cha Lý một lần duy nhất”!?! Đức Giám mục Phụ tá lắng nghe, ghi nhận ý kiến. Ta hãy chờ xem! Bà Hiểu cũng cho biết là khi trở về nhà, bà sẽ làm đơn yêu cầu trại giam không được biệt giam linh mục Nguyễn Văn Lý nữa. Ta cũng hãy chờ xem! Xin Đồng bào và Thân hữu quốc tế tiếp tục quan tâm theo dõi, thông báo và cầu nguyện cho sức khỏe của vị tù nhân lương tâm, biểu tượng đấu tranh bất khuất cho Dân chủ Nhân quyền và Tự do tôn giáo tại VN. Nhóm Phóng viên FNA Khối 8406 tường trình theo lời kể của bà Nguyễn Thị Hiểu. Huế ngày 28-08-2009, lúc 15g30

Joint Declaration of the Overseas Vietnamese Communities Regarding Communist Vietnam's Pressure on the Government of Indonesia to demolish the former Refugee Camp in Pulau Galang, Batam

Viet-Am Review — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:20:00 -0700

In March 2005, 150 former Vietnamese Boat People from several resettlement countries returned to Bidong (Malaysia) and Galang (Indonesia) in order to erect monuments in memory of their fellow refugees who had lost their lives in quest for freedom, and to thank the peoples of Malaysia and Indonesia for their generosity and compassion towards the Indochinese refugees. Two months later, the Vietnamese communist government urged the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia to get rid of the monuments, arguing that they were deemed detrimental to the bi-lateral diplomatic relations. This action has been resolutely condemned by the global Vietnamese diaspora. The Galang Refugee Camp was a place where hundreds of thousands of refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos were assisted by the people and government of Indonesia and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in their journey for freedom after their own countries had been taken over by the Communists in 1975. Then on July 30 and August 2, 2009, according to the Jakarta Post in Indonesia, the Hanoi government renewed its pressure on the government of Indonesia, this time to take down the Galang Refugee Camp. This camp has been renovated and maintained over the last decades as a historical monument and a tourist attraction for local and foreign visitors. Tháng 3 năm 2005, 150 thuyền nhân ở nhiều nước trên thế giới đã về Bidong và Galang dựng lên Tượng đài Tri Ân và Tưởng Niệm tại Galang (Nam Dương) và Bidong (Mã Lai), hai tháng sau đó sau đó nhà cầm quyền Hà Nội đã áp lực chính quyền sở tại triệt hạ hai tấm bia này, lấy cớ nội dung tri ân và tưởng niệm làm phương hại đến bang giao của hai quốc gia. Hành động vô lương tâm này đã bị Cộng Đồng Người Việt tại Hải Ngoại lên án nặng nề. Trại tị nạn Galang là nơi hàng trăm ngàn người tị nạn Việt/Miên/Lào đã đuợc dân chúng và chính quyền Nam Dương cùng Phủ Cao Uỷ Tị Nạn Liên Hiệp Quốc tiếp đón trong cuộc hành trình đi tìm tự do sau khi Cộng Sản thôn tính các quốc gia này vào năm 1975. Bốn năm sau, ngày 30-7-2009 và ngày 2-8-2009 vừa qua, tờ Jakarta Post tại Nam Dương loan tin nhà cầm quyền Cộng Sản Việt Nam lại tiếp tục áp lực chính phủ Nam Dương, lần này họ yêu sách đòi Nam Dương triệt hạ di tích trại tị nạn Galang. Được biết, di tích này đã được chính quyền và cư dân địa phương tại đảo Batam trùng tu và bảo quản hàng chục năm nay để làm di tích lịch sử và công viên di sản dành cho khách hành hương, khách du lịch và cư dân địa phương đến chiêm bái và ngơi nghỉ. http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-galang-refugee-camp.html