Menschenrechte / Human Rights (2013/1)

The Repression of Cyber Dissidents  in Vietnam – video release on You Tube!14.02.2013 by Ela Gancarz (The 88 Project) - In todays world, millions of people use the Internet to search for information, to work, or to communicate with their families and friends. Thanks to the evolution of technology, it has become possible to connect with everyone in any place on the globe.

As an independent filmmaker, I always appreciated new possibilities for creating, sharing and presenting work to the audience by using social media and networking. I have to admit, recently I’ve become a real digital enthusiast.

I was very upset when a few months ago I heard about Vietnamese journalists and artists jailed for posting articles on their blogs, writing songs, or simply expressing their points of view through art. I couldn’t understand why some governments make a crime out of free speech. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

On 18 February, we’re going to release a short video promoting The 88 Project – our special online initiative for freedom of expression in Vietnam. My desire is that the film will create a little bit of political awareness amongst people who live in free countries. [read more]  [The video in english] - [The video with Vietnamese subtitles]  - [tiếng Việt]

Bloggers and Netizens Behind Bars: Restrictions on Internet Freedom in Vietnam

07.02.2013 (FIDH) - In a new joint report released today, FIDH and its member organization, the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights, call on the Vietnamese government to end its escalating assault on freedom of expression and its criminalization of bloggers and netizens.

The 42-page report, entitled “Bloggers and Netizens Behind Bars: Restrictions on Internet Freedom in Vietnam”, highlighted the Internet as an increasingly popular source of independent news and a platform for civic activism in Vietnam, home to the region’s fastest growing population of Internet users. Bloggers and human rights defenders increasingly resort to the Internet to voice their political opinions, expose corruption, and draw attention to land-grabbing and other official abuses of power. At the same time, Internet users in Vietnam also face long-standing draconian restrictive legislation, policies and practices, while the government has intensified its crackdown on freedom of expression, both online and offline, since 2010 

[read more] - [tiếng Việt]

• PDF Report  Bloggers and Netizens Behind Bars: Restrictions on Internet Freedom in Vietnam

Blogueurs et cyberdissidents derrière les barreaux : mainmise de l’État sur Internet

08.02.2013 (FIDH) - Dans un rapport conjoint sorti le 13 février, la FIDH et son organisation membre, le Comité Vietnam pour la défense des droits de l’Homme, appellent le gouvernement vietnamien à libérer les blogueurs et cyberdissidents emprisonnés et à respecter les principes de la liberté d’expression.

Le rapport de 42 pages, intitulé « Blogueurs et cyberdissidents derrière les barreaux : mainmise de l’État sur Internet », révèle que depuis 2010 les autorités vietnamiennes ont intensifié la répression contre les blogueurs et les cyberdissidents.

La FIDH et le Comité Vietnam pour la défense des droits de l’Homme ont identifié 32 blogueurs et cyberdissidents actuellement en détention, accusés ou condamnés à des peines de prison pour avoir mis en ligne des propos jugés "subversifs" par le gouvernement, mais qui ne sont que l’expression pacifique de leurs opinions.. Leurs peines de prison s’échelonnent de 2 à 16 ans d’incarcération. [en savoir plus]  - [tiếng Việt]

Jailed Vietnam blogger lashes out at regime

08.02.2013 (The Standard Hongkong) - AFP - A prominent Vietnamese blogger jailed for 12 years for anti-state propaganda has lashed out at the regime from his prison cell, saying his trial has left the country's reputation in tatters.

In a document smuggled out of jail, Nguyen Van Hai said his trial "was the clearest evidence of the failure of building a democracy in Vietnam." The "authoritarian" trial "has destroyed Vietnam's reputation," Hai wrote.

The petition was carried out of prison by American pro-democracy activist Nguyen Quoc Quan, who was deported from Vietnam last week.

"The world needs to know that while the Vietnamese government is attempting to crack down on peaceful dissent, the many imprisoned activists will always find a way to endure," Quan said. "Not even jail cells can confine powerful ideas."  [tiếng Việt]

Wieder Vietnam

05.02.2013 Josef Bordat (Blog Jobo72) - Im Januar waren es 14 katholische Blogger, jetzt 22 buddhistische Reiseveranstalter für Ökotourismus: Vietnamesische Gerichte verurteilen sie wegen „Umsturzversuchen“, „Propaganda gegen den Staat“ und „Verunglimpfung der Volksherrschaft“ zu langen Gefängnisstrafen, wie Die Zeit berichtet.

In einigen Medien wird die Gruppe als Teil einer „Sekte“ bezeichnet, auf welcher Grundlage, ist mir nicht bekannt; die vietnamesischen Behörden nennen sie „reaktionär“. Doch der entscheidende Punkt ist ein anderer: Was die 14 Christen und die 22 Buddhisten eint, ist der Wunsch nach einem freien Vietnam, nach Menschenrechten, nach Sicherheit und Wohlstand für alle.

Wir können ihnen helfen, indem wir über ihr Schicksal schreiben, darüber sprechen und Petitionen wie diese unterstützen. Tun wir es!  - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam jails 22 for subversion

04.02.2013 (SBS) Vietnam has sentenced 22 activists to lengthy jail terms ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, a defence lawyer said, after one of the country's largest subversion trials for years.

The harsh punishments are part of an escalating crackdown on dissent by the communist regime, which has triggered growing international concern.

The defendants were convicted of trying to overthrow the government -- a charge which rights groups say is routinely laid against peaceful activists.

The group's 65-year-old "ringleader" Phan Van Thu received a life sentence, while the other 21 defendants were given between 10 and 17 years followed by up to five years' house arrest, lawyer Nguyen Huong Que told AFP.

"We are profoundly shocked by the length of the sentences," said Phil Robertson, Asia deputy director at New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). "It seems to be another hammer blow against basic human rights in Vietnam." [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Harte Strafen gegen religiöse Sekte in Vietnam

04.02.2013 (DW) - In Vietnam sind 22 Aktivisten einer verbotenen religiösen Gruppierung für viele Jahre hinter Gitter geschickt worden. In einem der größten Prozesse seit Jahren wurden sie beschuldigt, den Sturz der KP geplant zu haben.

Die kommunistische Führung Vietnams lässt keine Zweifel an ihrem Machtanspruch zu und geht seit Monaten massiv gegen oppositionelle Strömungen und Dissidenten vor. "Propaganda gegen den Staat", heißt es dann meist, oder wie jetzt: "Umsturzversuch". [weiter lesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: lourdes peines pour 22 militants accusés de subversion

04.02.1023 (France24) - AFP - Vingt-deux militants, membres d'un obscur groupuscule décrit comme "réactionnaire", ont été condamnés lundi au Vietnam à des peines allant jusqu'à l'emprisonnement à vie pour tentative de renversement du gouvernement communiste, a indiqué l'un de leurs avocats.

Le leader du groupe s'est vu infliger une peine de prison à perpétuité par un tribunal de la province de Phu Yen et les 21 autres des peines allant de 10 à 17 ans de prison suivies de plusieurs années de résidence surveillée, a précisé Nguyen Huong Que. [en savoir plus] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam, Release Activists!

Target: Vietnam Government

Sponsored by: Brittany Estes Garcia

04.02.2013 Care2 Petitionsite (Start Jan 12 2013) - 14 activists were convicted and sentenced to jail terms ranging from 3 to 13 years, following up to five years of house arrest, by the People's Court of Nghe An province.

All of the activists have been involved in the struggle for human rights and have advocated for other issues including the environment.

This sentencing was based off of vague security laws, specifically article 79 of the penal code, which forbids "overthrowing the government". Please tell the Vietnam government to remove these convictions and support activists! [read more]  - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam detains blogger who covered corruption

01.02.2013 (Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ) Bangkok - In a widening crackdown on online expression, Vietnamese security officials have arrested critical independent blogger Le Anh Hung and are holding him against his will in a psychiatric institution, news reports said. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrest and calls on authorities to immediately release Hung and all other journalists detained on spurious charges in Vietnam.

Six security agents arrested Hung on January 24 in the northern city of Hung Yen, saying they needed to question him in connection to matters related to his "temporary residence papers," according to a Radio Free Asia report. The officers took Hung to Social Support Center No. 2, a mental health institution in Hanoi, the report said. The institution's director later told Hung's colleagues that he had been admitted at the request of his mother and was not allowed to see visitors, the report said  [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Buddhist dissident Thich Quang Do is nominated for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize and receives diplomatic visits from Germany and France

02.02.2013 (Defend the Defenders) - The Most Venerable Thich Quang Do, Patriarch of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) has been nominated for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. The deadline for nominations to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee in Oslo expires today, 1st February 2013, and the winner will be announced in mid-October. Nominations were submitted by a range of academics and legislators from the European Parliament, the US Congress and national parliaments of Italy and France. Two legislators evoked their own personal experiences with the UBCV leader. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: Crackdown on Critics Escalates

Retrograde Policies, Persecuting Activists Holds Back Development

01.02.2013 (HRW) - (London) – The Vietnamese government is systematically suppressing freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and persecuting those who question government policies, expose official corruption, or call for democratic alternatives to one-party rule, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2013.

“The human rights situation in Vietnam took a another step backwards in  2012, with the authorities pursuing harsh policies in defiance of growing domestic expressions of political, social, and economic dissatisfaction,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “At a time when its ASEAN colleague Burma is undergoing significant change, the Vietnamese government stands out for its retrograde policies, persecuting activists, and holding back the country’s development.” [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: Open Letter: Arbitrary internment of Le Anh Hung in “Social Support Centre No 2” Ung Hoa, Hanoi

30.01.2013 (FIDH)

Your Excellencies,

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), together with the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR), wish to draw your attention to the internment of blogger Le Anh Hung, engaged in the promotion of freedom of expression, good governance and democratic reforms. 

Mr. Le Anh Hung was kidnapped at his work place in Hung Yen on January 24, 2013 by six secret security agents. They failed to provide any document and pretexted to his boss that they needed to see him about “matters concerning temporary residence papers”, before forcing him into their car. Later, his friends discovered that he had been interned in “Social Support Centre No. 2” in Ung Hoa, Hanoi, a mental health institution. They were told that his mother had requested Le Anh Hung’s internment, and were denied the right to visit him. It later turned out that his mother had never made a request for his internment. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

2013 World Press Freedom Index: Dashed Hopes Follow Spring

29.01.2013 (eurasiareview) - After the “Arab springs” and other protest movements that prompted many rises and falls in last year’s index, the 2013 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index marks a return to a more usual configuration. The ranking of most countries is no longer attributable to dramatic political developments. This year’s index is a better reflection of the attitudes and intentions of governments towards media freedom in the medium or long term.

For the second year running, the bottom three countries are immediately preceded by Syria (176th, 0), where a deadly information war is being waged, and Somalia (175th, -11), which has had a deadly year for journalists. Iran (174th, +1), China (173rd, +1), Vietnam (unchanged at 172nd), Cuba (171st, -4), Sudan (170th, 0) and Yemen (169th, +2) complete the list of the ten countries that respect media freedom least. Not content with imprisoning journalists and netizens, Iran also harasses the relatives of journalists, including the relatives of those who are abroad. [read more] - [tiếng Việt] - RSF World Press Freedom Index 2013

Rangliste der Pressefreiheit 2013 veröffentlicht

30.01.2013 (Entwicklungspolitik) Berlin. Reporter ohne Grenzen (ROG) hat am Mittwoch die aktuelle Rangliste der Pressefreiheit veröffentlicht. Die ROG-Rangliste der Pressefreiheit vergleicht die Situation der Medien in 179 Staaten und Regionen bis Ende November 2012. An der Spitze der Rangliste stehen europäische Länder, Schlusslichter sind wie seit Jahren Eritrea, Nordkorea und Turkmenistan. ... In CHINA (Platz 173) und VIETNAM (Platz 172), wo der Staat die Medien streng kontrolliert, werden besonders Blogger und Internet-Aktivisten verfolgt. In China sitzen fast 70 Blogger im Gefängnis. In Vietnam sind es mehr als 30. Ebenfalls am Ende der Rangliste stehen NORDKOREA (Platz 178) und LAOS (Platz 168), deren autoritäre Regime keine unabhängige Berichterstattung zulassen. [weiter lesen] - [tiếng Việt] - RSF Rangliste der Pressefreiheit

RSF: classement de la liberté de la presse 2013

30.01.2013 (Le Figaro) - La Finlande, les Pays-Bas et la Norvège occupent la tête du classement mondial annuel des pays respectant la liberté de la presse établi par l'ONG française Reporters sans frontières, qui place en queue de peloton l'Erythrée, la Corée du Nord et le Turkménistan. La Syrie et la Somalie, l'Iran, la Chine, le Vietnam, Cuba, le Soudan et le Yémen complètent la liste des pays les moins respectueux de la liberté de la presse sur 179 Etats passés en revue. [en savoir plus...] - [tiếng Việt] - RSF Classement mondial de la liberté de la presse 2013

Libertad de Prensa 2013: esperanzas frustradas tras la “Primavera árabe” 

30.01.2013 (Periodistas en Español) - Después de los movimientos de protesta conocidos como de la "Primavera árabe" y, que supusieron muchos cambios de posición en la clasificación mundial de la libertad de prensa en 2012, Reporteros Sin Fronteras (RSF) publica su edición 2013 marcada por una "vuelta a la normalidad". La organización señala en un comunicado que el puesto que ocupan la mayoría de países ya no se debe a dramáticos acontecimientos políticos, sino más bien a sus iniciativas y a la actitud a medio y largo plazo de sus gobiernos con respeto a la libertad de prensa.

Siria y Somalia ocupan, por segundo año consecutivo, los puestos inmediatamente anteriores a los últimos tres último clasificados, ambos países con elevadas cifras de informadores asesinados en 2012. Irán, China, Vietnam, Cuba, Sudán y Yemen, cierran la lista de los diez peor clasificados. En Irán este año, además de encarcelar a periodistas e internautas, el régimen ha pasado a acosar también a sus familiares, incluidos a los familiares de los profesionales exiliados.

En otros países también afectados por movimientos de protesta, la situación ha cambiado, tanto para bien, como para mal. Vietnam, que había perdido seis posiciones en la edición anterior, no remonta y se mantiene como la segunda prisión de internautas más grande del mundo. [seguir leyendo] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam frees American activist after 9 months

30.01.2013 By Chris Brummitt (NewsWest 9) - HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Vietnamese authorities on Wednesday released and deported an American pro-democracy activist detained since April, a move that contrasts with the long prison terms given to Vietnamese activists who are members of the same U.S.-based dissident group. The release of Nguyen Quoc Quan came after U.S. diplomatic pressure and removes an obvious thorn in relations between the former enemies. Both countries are trying to strengthen their ties in large part because of shared concerns over China's emerging military and economic might, but American concerns over human rights in one-party, authoritarian Vietnam are complicating this.

Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Quan had "confessed to his crime" and asked for leniency to be reunited with his family. His wife, Huong Mai Ngo, said she doubted this was the case, suggesting that Hanoi was seeking a face-saving way of allowing him to go home. "I don't believe it. They say that about everybody," she said via telephone from Sacramento, Calif. "If my husband was prepared to do that (confess), he could have been released nine months ago."  [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Prozess in Vietnam: 22 Dissidenten droht die Todesstrafe

28.01.2013 (Spiegel Online) - Hanoi - Bürgerrechtler in Vietnam sprechen vom größten politischen Prozess seit Jahren: 22 Aktivisten haben angeblich die kommunistische Regierung provoziert und müssen sich vor Gericht im Süden des Landes verantworten.

Die Gruppe ist staatlichen Medien zufolge angeklagt, regierungskritische Papiere verbreitet zu haben. In der Anklage ist es so formuliert: Die Dissidenten hätten Misstrauen gegen die Kommunistische Partei säen und andere zum Sturz der Regierung anstacheln wollen. Sie sind zudem angeklagt, Mitglieder einer politischen Organisation zu sein und dafür Geld aus dem Ausland erhalten zu haben. [weiter lesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam begins new subversion trial

28.01.2013 (Bangkok Post) - HANOI - In one of Vietnam's largest subversion trials for years, 22 members of a little-known "reactionary" group appeared in court Monday charged with trying to overthrow the communist government, a clerk said. The trial in the central province of Phu Yen is set to last five days. The leader and 21 other members of the group - called Hoi Dong Cong Luat Cong An Bia Son in Vietnamese - were all in the dock, the clerk told AFP, requesting anonymity. Rights groups say charges of spreading anti-state propaganda and attempting to overthrow the regime are routinely laid against peaceful dissidents in a country where the ruling Communist Party forbids political debate. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Posible pena capital para opositores vietnamitas

28.01.2013 (DW) -  Un tribunal vietnamita comenzó a enjuiciar a 22 opositores acusados de difundir críticas al Partido Comunista, quienes podrían ser condenados a muerte. Defensores de los derechos humanos dijeron que se trata del proceso más grande de este tipo en Vietnam desde hace muchos años. El tribunal en la ciudad de Phu Yen, en el sur del país, dará a conocer su veredicto dentro de cinco días, informó un portavoz. [seguir leyendo] - [tiếng Việt]

Bloggerin Ta Phong Tan wird für Freedom of Expression Awards 2013 nominiert

25.01.2013 (Forum Vietnam 21) - Die britische Organisation Index on Censorship hat für ihren Freedom of Expression Awards 2013 die vietnamesische Bloggerin Ta Phong Tan zusammen mit dem grieschischen Journalist Kostas Vaxevanis, dem ägytischen Medienkollektiv Mosireen und Sadiye Eser mit den inhaftierten türkischen Journalisten in der Kategorie Journalismus nominiert. Ta Phong Tan war früher Polizistin und arbeitete seit 2004 als freie Journalistin. Im Jahr 2006 begann sie in ihrem eigenen Weblog „Gerechtigkeit und Wahrheit“ ("Công Lý và Sự Thật") über soziale Probleme zu berichten. Später schrieb sie über Machtmissbrauch und Willkür der vietnamesischen Polizei. Jahrelang war sie immer wieder verhört und vorübergehend festgenommen worden, bis sie im September 2011 verhaftet wurde. Wegen "Propaganda gegen den Staat" wurde Ta Phong Tan im Demzember 2012 zu zehn Jahren Haft und drei Jahre Hausarrest nach Freilassung verurteilt, in dem selben Prozess sind auch die zwei Blogger Nguyen Hoang Hai alias Điếu Cầy (zwölf Jahre Haft und fünf Jahre Hausarrest nach Freilassung) und Phan Thanh Hai alias AnhBaSG (vier Jahre Haft und drei Jahre Hausarrest nach Freilassung) verurteilt worden. Index on Censorship ist eine internationale Organisation zum Schutz der Meinungsfreiheit und Pressefreiheit mit Sitz in London, Großbritannien. Die Organisation vegibt jährlich den "Preis der freien Meinungsäusserung" zu Ehren der Schriftsteller, Journalist und Blogger in der Welt, die wegen ihren Einsatz für Gerechtigkeit verfolgt werden. Die Nominierung wird am 27. Januar 2013 geschlossen. Die Verleihung des Freedom of Expression Awards 2013 findet am 21. März 2013 in London statt. [tiếng Việt] 

• Index on Censorship about Ta Phong Tan (english, deutsch, français)