In companionship with Norwegian-Vietnamese Centre, the Rafto Human Rights House issues the below letter of appeal from the Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights for Viet Nam. The letter gives voice to a call for joint protests against the recent political oppression orchestrated by the Communist Vietnamese authorities towards the democracy movement of the country.
(13-MAR-07)
 
This appeal has been prepared for publication here by HRHF / Niels Jacob Harbitz.

                            Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights for Viet Nam
                                                  vplmdcnqvn@gmail.com
                                                                ===O===
            Letter of Appeal of the Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights for Viet Nam

RE: A call for joint protests against the recent political oppression orchestrated by Communist Viet Nam toward the democracy movement

We respectfully address:
– The Secretary General of the United Nation and the UN Human Right Council
– Congresses, Parliaments, and governments of democratic countries
– Viet Nam and international’s human rights organizations
– The Vietnamese people and the international community
– Vietnamese and international media

We, the Representatives of the Alliance of Vietnamese national organizations that are advocating for Democracy and Human Rights in Viet Nam (also known as the Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights for Viet Nam, est. October 16, 2006), are issuing this appeal to address the following:

I) The brutal oppression toward the democracy movement orchestrated by the Vietnamese Communist government between February 16, 2007 and March 10, 2007.  The following are several cases that showed the dictatorial regime’s tyranny towards human rights activists specifically and the pro-democracy movement in general:

1) In Hue – Central Viet Nam
On the Lunar New Year Eve (February 16, 2007), a sacred time to the Vietnamese people, the police unleashed a campaign of terrorism toward the members of Bloc 8406 (an organization established after the Manifesto of Freedom and Democracy in Viet Nam was written on April 8, 2006).  The police raided the homes of the democracy activists, arrested, interrogated and confiscated many documents on democracy. 

Father Nguyen Van Ly, born in 1946, is being prosecuted by the police in Thua Thien Province – Hue with the crime of “propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam” according to Article 88 of Viet Nam’s Penal Code.  At the same time, the president of the People Committee of Thua Thien Province – Hue has issued an order to move Father Ly from his current residence at the official headquarter of the Archdiocese of Hue to Ben Cui Parish that located over 20 kilometers away. 

The “evidences” that the Vietnamese Communist government listed against Father Nguyen Van Ly included: “Upon inspection of Ly’s residence, the police confiscated 6 computers, 6 printers, tens of Internet phone, 136 SIM cards, over 200 kilograms of paper documents, documents on the establishment and announcement of organizations to oppose our Party and the government.”

2) In Ha Noi – Viet Nam’s capital
March 6, 2007, Ha Noi’s police has prosecuted, arrested and searched the office and residence of attorney Nguyen Van Dai, born in 1969, and attorney Le Thi Cong Nhan, born 1979, with the charges of “propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam”.  Both of the attorneys have gone on hunger strike since March 6, 2997 until today to protest against these oppressions. 
The “evidences” that the Vietnamese Communist government used to charge the two attorneys are the following: “Nguyen Van Dai has connected with and provided counsel for several individuals whom oppose the government such as Hoang Minh Chinh, Nguyen Van Ly, Do Nam Hai and gathered others to meet in Ho Chi Minh City to carry out their plan against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; declared the establishment of reactionary organization such as: Bloc 8406, independent unions, the Committee for Human Rights in Viet Nam with the intention to oppose the people’s government.  Upon inspection of the office and residences of Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan, the police has confiscated 5 hard discs, 1 webcam, 1 modem to connect to the Internet, documents with content to demand multi-party and oppose the government; many documents on the establishments of the anti-government organizations…”

3) In the High Land:
Pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh of the Mennonite Christian Church in Pleiku City:
On March 8, 2007,  when International Women Day is observed, a police force raided Pastor Chinh’s home and took him out of his home, the police also beaten Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hong, Pastor’s Chinh’s wife whom just recently gave birth. 

4) In Sai Gon – South Viet Nam:
4.1) On March 5, 2007, the police turned up at the residence of Prof. Nguyen Chinh Ket in Go Vap and read the Arrest Warrant of Prof. Nguyen Chinh Ket knowing fully that he is out of the country.  The police also confiscated several documents on democracy with the witness of Mrs. Bui Ngoc Yen, Prof. Ket’s wife.  When Mrs. Bui Ngoc Yen requested the police to give her the warrant, the police refused and said: “If Prof. Ket is home, the police would arrest him and detain him for 4 months.”

4.2) March 8, 2007, the younger brother of dissident Do Nam Hai received a message via telephone: “If Do Nam Hai does not stop all of his democracy activities, the police would arrest him in the near future.”  Next day, March 9, 2007, a Lieutenant Colonel of the police force whom have frequent contact with Do Nam Hai, came to Hai’s home and said bluntly: “You should prepare mentally for your parents and everyone in the family, in case of difficult situation, we would arrest you in the near future…”

Many other human rights activists suffered from acts of harassments, oppressions, and terrorism executed by the Vietnamese Communist government.  Among these activists are the following people currently being held in prison: Nguyen Vu Binh, Le Nguyen Sang, Huynh Viet Lang, Nguyen Tan Hoanh, Hoang Huy Chuong, Nguyen Thi Tuyet, Nguyen Thi Le Hong, Truong Quoc Huy, Nguyen Ngoc Quang, Pham Ba Hai, Vu Hoang Hai, Tran Quoc Hien, Hong Trung, and Vu Ngoc Hung. 
II) Vietnamese Communist government’s reactions toward international criticism of human right violations in Viet Nam.  Here are several examples of reactions:

On March 7, 2007, Viet Nam’s Foreign Ministry’s spoke person Le Dung spoke of the human rights report issued by the US State Department: “…It is regrettable that the 2006 Human Rights report of the US State Department continued to bring forth subjective assessments on Viet Nam.  Advancing human rights is the consistent policy of Viet Nam, it is the important element for the stable development toward Viet Nam’s goal of “prosperous people, strong nation, and civilized, democratic and equal society”.  Viet Nam’s government has and is making all effort to guarantee and practice human rights through building and improving the judiciary system, conducting concrete resolutions to develop the economy, culture and society to ensure that every citizen would enjoy a life of abundant in physical, rich in spiritual, building a just, democratic and civilized society.  In reality, Vietnam has reaped many successes in practice and development of rights and freedom of the citizens in many areas. 

Vietnam’s current law guarantee all human rights stated in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and International Covenants that Vietnam has signed on.  In Vietnam, no one is arrested for political or religious dissent, only individuals whom violated and prosecuted according to Vietnam’s law.  Freedom of speech, freedom of media, and freedom of communication in Vietnam is expressed through the diversity in form and content of the media in Vietnam, including the development of the Internet.  However, like many other countries, all information the violate Vietnamese cultural value and morals and laws are not allowed to circulate in Vietnam.  Due to the differences in culture, politic and history between the USA and Vietnam, there are differences on the point of view and practice on human rights.  We believe that two countries should increase communication to advance the understanding of each other for the sake of the people of two countries.  On the visit to Vietnam on November 2006 of President Bush, the leaders of two countries have recognized the importance of the ongoing progress in bilateral communication on human rights, and have re-affirmed that communication must be carried out on a comprehensive and productive scale.” 

III) Perspectives from the Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights for Viet Nam’s :

1) The activities of the individuals on section 1 above are legal, and their actions are the expressions of human rights that are protected by Vietnam’s Constitution, International law and treaties.  Specifically, these rights are: freedom of communication, freedom of speech, freedom of media, freedom of association and political party, freedom of assembly.  The oppressions carried out by the Vietnamese Communist government these past days are completely illegal.  The government has violated international laws, disregards public opinions and showed no ounce of human conscience. 

The most concerning fact is: all these time, all the agencies of the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary are synchronized in collaboration against these activists.  These activists were wrongfully accused and defamed with no mean of self-defense.  These people are trying to explain themselves by saying that: “please go to www.google.com to search for information on the names of the people whom the communist media mentioned or about Bloc 8406, you would find many articles that provide reference about them.”

2) The charge of “propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” is vague and is not clearly defined in the law.  With this manner of accusation, the Vietnamese Communist government could charge anyone who is fighting for democracy and freedom in Vietnam.  The underlying cause for these accusations is because these courageous democracy activists are willing to speak out against “orthodox” political point of view of the current regime.   Therefore, it is not true as the state-run media in Vietnam reported that: “Vietnam’s police had uncovered and stopped in time the reactionary elements that are collaborating with organizations to spread propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam….” In reverse, the international community have caught the Vietnamese Communist government’s egregious violations of human rights and civil rights toward the above named citizens. 

3) The content of the speech by spoke person Le Dung of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry is the classic example of the deceit and lies of the Vietnamese Communist government.  It showed the regime’s attitude that is totally indifferent toward the pain and suffering of its citizens.  In reality, the content and mannerism of Le Dung is not new to the Vietnamese people and the international community.  Unfortunately, it has fooled many including politicians and foreign diplomats. 

III) The Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights for Viet Nam Appeal to the Vietnamese people in Vietnam and abroad, the organizations and international community to:

1) Join in support of the democracy activists and participate in the rally to protest against the Vietnamese Communist government for the human and civil rights violations.  Demand for the immediate release of attorneys Le Thi Cong Nhan and Nguyen Van Dai, journalist Nguyen Vu Binh, Father Nguyen Van Ly and all other political and religious prisoners whom are being held in prison, detained or under house arrest. 

2) Communicate your protest through the media and broadcast back into Vietnam.  Make telephone calls, send fax and email to the Vietnamese government’s agencies such as the police, foreign ministry, and Congress to express your protest. 

3) Coordinate with organizations and communities in Vietnam and around world to launch a campaign for a referendum in Vietnam.  Specifically, demand that the Vietnamese Communist Party must respect and allow the Vietnamese people to exercise their right of national self determination through a referendum.  This is the burning aspiration of the Vietnamese people in 62 years (September 2, 1945 – March 2007) but yet to be fulfilled because the Vietnamese Communist Party is preventing it from happening.  In the referendum, a must-have question that needed the answers from the Vietnamese people:
Should Viet Nam pursue a multi-party system?
Check: Yes    Or   No

Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights for Viet Nam sincerely hopes that it would receive the support from everyone with this appeal.  Please contact us by email address: lkglmdcnqvn@gmail.com

Vietnam, March 10, 2007

I. Board of Advisors:
1 – Veteran Pham Que Duong, Ha Noi
2 – Father Nguyen Huu Giai, Thua Thien – Hue
3 – Prof. Nguyen Thanh Giang, Ha Noi
4 – Former President of Labour Federation Nguyen Ho, Saigon
5 – Le Quang Liem, Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, Saigon
6 – Father Phan Van Loi, Hue
7 – Father Nguyen Van Ly, Hue
8 – Pastor Ngo Hoai No, Saigon
9 – Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, Saigon
10 – Veteran Vu Cao Quan, Hai Phong
11 – Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, President, Viet Nam Humanity Movement, Saigon
12 – Le Van Soc, Hoa Hao Buddhist, Vinh Long
13 – Father Chan Tin, Saigon
14 – Writer Hoang Tien, Ha Noi
II. Board of Executives :
1 – Engineer Do Nam Hai, Saigon
2 – Prof. Nguyen Chinh Ket, Saigon
3 – Vetaran Tran Anh Kim, Thai Binh