Menschenrechte / Human Rights (2013/5)

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Menschenrechte / Human Rights (2013/5)

* Menschenrechte / Human Rights

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Menschenrechte

Human Rights

Droits de l'Homme 

Bo, echoes in the prison block

(Video) 

20.10.2013 (VRNs - Vietnamese Redemptorists' News) - Everyone knows the Communists are cruel, but it was not until the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe that the European Union condemned their actions. The people currently living under Communist regimes continue to endure the dictatorships.

This past Summer 2013, however, in Long An, Vietnam, the voice of a young Vietnamese woman standing strong on trial at the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam stirred up a combination of both worry and hope. She stood and proudly stated, "I am against the Communist Party, I am not against the State." ... [read more]

- [watch the video in large format]

CPJ petition calls for release of blogger Dieu Cay 12.11.2013 (CPJ) - New York, November 12, 2013 - The Committee to Protect Journalists has created a petition that calls on Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to immediately release unjustly imprisoned blogger Nguyen Van Hai.

Hai is one of four international journalists who will be honored with CPJ's 2013 International Press Freedom Award on November 26 for risking their lives to reveal abuses of power. He will be the only awardee not in attendance at the ceremony. [read more] - [tiếng Việt] 

CPJ asks its supporters to sign and share the petition on Causes.com .

Full petition available here: www.causes.com/freedieucay 

Vietnam announces big fines for social media 'propaganda'

27.11.2013 (Reuters) - HANOI - Vietnam will hand out fines of 100 million dong ($4,740) to anyone criticizing the government on social media, under a new law announced this week, the latest measure in a widening crackdown on dissent by the country's communist rulers.

The new decree is vaguely worded and did not say what comments amounted to a criminal offence, which can be punished with prison, or an "administrative violation" that rates a fine. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

   

Declaration on The Founding of Vietnamese Women for Human Rights

25.11.2013 (VNWHR) - Until the 21st century - the era of knowledge and liberty and democracy, Vietnam remains a country with a thick dossier on human rights abuses.

Human rights are considered an important milestone to measure the level of civilization and is a prerequisite to create spiritual well being and humanist values for humans. The world today has been promoting human rights in all areas of social activities. Yet presently the people of Vietnam have not yet had the opportunity to enjoy the beneficiary 's rights in its beautiful humanist sense of the word. Evidently many human rights defenders in Vietnam continue to be suppressed in various forms, especially the women. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

A daughter's plea for her father's freedom in Vietnam

21.11.2013 By Sumit Galhotra/CPJ Asia Program Research Associate (CPJ) - Next week, the Committee to Protect Journalists will be honoring four journalists from around the world at the International Press Freedom Awards, an annual recognition of courageous reporting. As the awardees from Ecuador, Egypt, and Turkey make the journey to attend the awards and benefit dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on November 26, one of the awardees will be absent.

 

   Bài & Tin mới 

    

    Nhân quyền

Petition: RWB calls for the release of 35 jailed Vietnamese bloggers

 (Reporters without Borders) - Vietnam is the world’s second biggest prison for bloggers and cyber-dissidents, after China.

Vietnam’s bloggers are a source of independently-reported news and information that is an alternative to the government media. They write about corruption, environmental problems and the country’s political developments.

There have been several waves of arrests of bloggers, netizens and journalists in recent years. Mindful of the Arab uprisings, the Vietnamese authorities have been cracking down harder in order to suppress dissent and prevent any destabilization.

The 35 bloggers currently detained include the human rights activist Dieu Cay and the lawyer Le Quoc Quan. They also include Paulus Le Son, Ta Phong Tan, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc and Nguyen Tien Trung. They are all serving long sentences on such trumped-up charges as subversion, anti-government propaganda and trying to overthrow the government.

Their families are subjected to harassment and smear campaigns. The mother of the jailed blogger Ta Phong Tan took her own life by setting fire to herself in 2012 in an act of despair about the way her daughter has been treated.

Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate release of imprisoned bloggers and netizens, the lifting of censorship and the repeal of the repressive laws that are used against news providers, especially article 88 and clause 1 of article 79 of the criminal code.  [sign petition]

Help us to combat cyber-censorship in Vietnam! Circulate this petition as widely as possible! - [tiếng Việt]

Petition: RSF demande la libération des 35 blogueurs vietnamiens emprisonnés

(Reporters sans Frontières) - Le Vietnam est la 2ème prison du monde pour les blogueurs et cyberdissidents, après la Chine.

Au Vietnam, les blogueurs apportent une information alternative, indépendante du pouvoir. Ils enquêtent sur la corruption, les problèmes environnementaux, les perspectives politiques du pays, etc. Les vagues d’arrestations de blogueurs, net-citoyens et journalistes se succèdent depuis plusieurs années. Avec à l'esprit les révoltes arabes, les autorités vietnamiennes ont accru la répression pour réduire au silence les voix dissidentes et parer à toute déstabilisation du régime.

Parmi les 35 blogueurs emprisonnés à ce jour : le militant des droits de l’homme Dieu Cay, l’avocat Le Quoc Quan, et les blogueurs Paulus Lê Son, Ta Phong Tan, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc ainsi que Nguyen Tien Trung. Ils ont été condamnés à de lourdes peines de prison ferme pour “subversion”, “propagande contre l’Etat”, ou “tentative de renversement du gouvernement”, entre autres motifs fallacieux.

Leurs proches subissent les campagnes de diffamation et le harcèlement des autorités. Déséspérée par le sort de sa fille, la mère de la blogueuse emprisonnée Ta Phong Tan s'était immolée par le feu en 2012.

Reporters sans frontières demande la libération immédiate des blogueurs et net-citoyens emprisonnés par le régime, la levée de la censure et l’abrogation des textes législatifs répressifs utilisés contre les acteurs de l’information, en particulier l'article 88 et la clause 1 de l'article 79 du code pénal. [je signe]

Aidez-nous à faire reculer la cybercensure au Vietnam ! Faites circuler cette pétition le plus largement possible!  - [tiếng Việt]

Amnesty Internation

Human rights defenders and other activists in Viet Nam are typically at risk of arbitrary arrest and lengthy detention for speaking out or thinking differently. In this report, Amnesty International provides a brief overview of Viet Nam’s legal framework and international obligations. The report then highlights the range of human rights violations that human rights defenders and other activists are subjected to when they become prisoners of conscience. Lastly, it provides detailed information on 75 individuals currently in jail after being tried and convicted for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression. [read more]

Repression of government critics and activists worsened, with severe restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly. At least 25 peaceful dissidents, including bloggers and songwriters, were sentenced to long prison terms in 14 trials that failed to meet international standards. Members of ethnic and religious groups faced human rights violations. At least 86 people were sentenced to death, with more than 500 on death row. [read more]

... In Vietnam wurden mehr als 20 Blogger, Liedermacher und andere friedliche Dissidenten aufgrund konstruierter Anklagen inhaftiert, weil sie angeblich die nationale Sicherheit bedrohten... [Weiterlesen]

Blogger Nguyen Van Hai of Vietnam, popularly known by his penname Dieu Cay, will be spending the evening behind bars. Hai is serving a 12-year prison sentence under a vague law barring propaganda against the state in connection with his politically sensitive blog posts. His blog posts touched on politically sensitive issues, including government corruption and protests against China, which disputes Vietnam's claim to nearby maritime territories.

In prison, Hai has endured solitary confinement and waged a hunger strike. His prison visits are heavily restricted, and his family members say his health has deteriorated to such a degree that he is barely recognizable.

Hai's daughter, Thi Thu Huong Nguyen, shared the following heartbreaking letter she wrote to her father shortly after he was sentenced to prison last year... [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Read Huong's full letter here

Meanwhile, CPJ has launched a petition calling on the Vietnamese government to free Nguyen Van Hai. We hope you will add your name to help Huong reunite with her father.

Did Twitter just get blocked in Vietnam?

20.11.2013 by Anh-Minh Do (Tech in Asia) - It all may be a bit early to say, but some users, including myself, have been experiencing some difficulty accessing Twitter in Vietnam. A mild DNS block, which surfaced a few days ago appears to be preventing people from accessing Twitter on certain ISPs. But what does this mean?

Those who have traveled to Vietnam know that it’s a bit troublesome to get on Facebook. Though the country’s domestic Facebook block pales in comparison to China’s Great Firewall, it still can inconvenience less tech-savvy internet users. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Le Conseil National des Barreaux exige la libération de Le Quoc Quan, avocat au Vietnam

15.11.2013 (Conseil National des Barreaux, France) - S’élève contre la condamnation, le 2 octobre 2013 par la Cour populaire de Hanoi, de Le Quoc Quan, avocat et bloggeur vietnamien, à trente mois de prison et à une amende de 59000 $. Radié à vie du barreau, il ne pourra plus exercer la profession d’avocat.

Le Conseil national des barreaux

U.N. Human Rights Council: A Flawed Body That Should Be Replaced

19.11.2013 By Brett D. Schaefer (The Heritage Foundation) - The United Nations held elections on November 12 for 14 Human Rights Council (HRC) seats for 2014. Based on the election results, the number of free countries will climb to a slim majority. However, a number of countries with poor human rights records continue to be elected to the body.

The lack of meaningful membership standards is a key reason behind the HRC’s poor performance. After the U.N. failed to establish membership standards in the 2011 review of the HRC, there is little prospect for improvement in the near future. Instead of lending credibility to this flawed institution, the U.S. should seek to eliminate it and work to establish a more effective human rights body with rigorous membership standards. [read more]

The U.N.'s Big Human Rights Problem

15.11.2013 By Ellen Bork (U.S. News & World Report) - On November 12, Saudi Arabia, China, Vietnam, Russia, Cuba and Algeria were elected by secret ballot to three-year terms on the 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council. The accession of these authoritarian governments, including three ruled by communist parties, to a body mandated to work "objectively" to advance human rights leaves the council open to ridicule. On the other hand, the degradation of the UN by non-democratic members is familiar by now. As permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia have blocked action, and even rhetoric, aimed at staunching the slaughter of civilians in Syria. [read more]

Day of Imprisoned Writers - Two Writers Honoured the ICPC's Liu Xiaobo Courage to Write Award

15.11.2013 (ICPC) - The Independent Chinese PEN Centre (ICPC) has honoured two imprisoned writers, Tan Zuoren and Nguyen Xuan Nghia (Vietnam) the ICPC's 2013 Liu Xiaobo Courage to Write Award for their long-term tenacity and courage in writing despite the threat of imprisonment...

... Nguyen Xuan Nghia is a Vietnamese poet, journalist, essayist and novelist, a member of the Hai Phong Association of Writers and a founding member of the banned democracy movement known as Bloc 8406... On 9 October 2009, after a trial that reportedly lasted just a few hours, Nguyen Xuan Nghia was convicted of conducting anti-government propaganda under Article 88 of Vietnam’s penal code and sentenced to six years in prison. Article 88 forbids “all propaganda against the Communist system of government” as well as “slanderous allegations undermining national security, the social order and the people’s trust in the Party.”... [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

* Related Stories:

Writers-in-Prison-Day - Gespräch mit dem PEN-Präsidenten Josef Haslinger

15.11.2013 Ein Beitrag von: Ortmann, Joana, Radio-Interview (Bayerische Rundfunk) - Um kritische Autoren und Blogger mundtot zu machen, greifen die Geheimdienste von autoritären Ländern zu immer schärferen Maßnahmen. Besonders gefährlich scheint es derzeit in Syrien zu sein, Iran, Vietnam und China sind nicht viel besser. [Weiterlesen & Hören]

Vietnam Wins Human Rights Seat Despite Tainted Record

15.11.2013 By Luke Hunt (The Diplomat) - Earlier this year, Global Witness scored international headlines with a telling report on illegal land grabbing in Cambodia and Laos by Vietnamese companies and the extraordinary damage these companies had inflicted on the environment from which they profited.

The report, Rubber Barons, claimed that Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) and another Vietnamese company, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), were the biggest offenders and that both were partially supported by Deutsche Bank through Vietnam-based funds. [read more]

PEN-Chef kritistiert autoritäre Staaten - „Blogger werden mundtot gemacht“

14.11.2013 (Oberhessische Presse) - Darmstadt - Um kritische Autoren mundtot machen zu können, gehen autoritäre Staaten nach Ansicht der Schriftstellervereinigung PEN-Zentrum Deutschland verstärkt gegen Veröffentlichungen im Internet vor.

Besonders rigoros seien China und Vietnam, sagte PEN-Präsident Josef Haslinger (58) zum Tag des inhaftierten Schriftstellers (15.11.) im Interview der Nachrichtenagentur dpa.

In Syrien ist die Situation in diesem Jahr unüberschaubar geworden. Spitzenreiter ist aber nach wie vor China. Dort sitzt der Friedensnobelpreisträger Liu Xiaobo in Haft, ...

Die Probleme der Blogger nehmen auf der ganzen Welt zu, vor allem auch wieder in China, Vietnam und den arabischen Ländern. [Weiterlesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Announcement On Vietnam's Entry Into UNHRC

14.11.2013 (Blog Đoan Trang) - Following the mechanisms for electing four out of five candidates for Asia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Maldives, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term. The previous withdrawal of Jordan from the election paved the way for these four countries to win their seats in an uncontested manner.

Under UN Resolution 60/251, as a member state, Vietnam, including both the government and its 90 million citizens, are obliged to uphold core values in promoting and protecting human rights as well as to respect provisions that Vietnam has voluntarily committed itself to. This obligation was confirmed by Vietnam's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pham Binh Minh, after Vietnam's election, who stated “[Vietnam shall] fully implement obligations and commitments as a member state of the UNHCR and the United Nations.”

In light of Vietnam's successful election to UNHCR, the Network of Vietnamese Bloggers (NVB) holds the opinions that: [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

China, Russia and Cuba to police human rights abuses

14.11.2013 By Sophie Pilgrim, New York (FRANCE 24) - China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cuba and Algeria won seats on the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday, in a vote that has left human rights activists incredulous. The governments of all six of the countries are accused of ongoing rights abuses.

A secret ballot vote at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday saw six highly controversial additions to the body’s human rights watchdog. [read more]

Activists Criticize Vietnam's Election to UN Rights Council

13.11.2013 (VOA) - International human rights groups are voicing concern over Vietnam's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said he believes Vietnam, which became one of 14 new members on Tuesday, will play a negative role.

"I hope the government of Vietnam will prove me wrong, but up to date we haven’t seen any sort of indication that the government of Vietnam is going to change its policies because the election to the Human Rights Council," he said. [read more]

La Chine, Cuba, la Russie... au Conseil des droits de l'Homme : "Une absurdité"

13.11.2013 Par Sophie Pilgrim, New York (FRANCE 24) - La Chine, la Russie, l'Arabie saoudite, l'Algérie, le Vietnam et Cuba ont été élu, mardi, à New York, pour siéger au Conseil des droits de l'Homme de l'ONU. Un choix "absurde" selon plusieurs organisations non-gouvernementales.

Le Conseil des droits de l'Homme à l'ONU, qui siégera à compter du 1er janvier 2014, sera sans nul doute l'un des plus divisés de son histoire. Le choix, mardi 12 novembre, à New York, d'intégrer la Chine, la Russie, l’Arabie saoudite, le Vietnam, Cuba et  l’Algérie, parmi les 14 sièges vacants, a créé la stupéfaction, en particulier du côté des organisations non-gouvernementales. [en savoir plus...]

‘A lot of explaining to do’: Looking at the records of the newest UN Human Rights Council members

13.11.2013 National Post Staff (National Post) - Six countries criticized as being among the world’s worst human rights abusers were elected to the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday.

“This is a black day for human rights,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, a Geneva-based UN watch- dog in a statement.

“The UN sent a message that politics trumps human rights, and it let down millions of victims worldwide who look to the world body for protection. The UN General Assembly elected egregious human rights abusers China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Cuba, and Vietnam to the UN Human Rights Council, dealing a severe blow to the credibility and efficacy of a body that was supposed to improve on its discredited predecessor.” [read more]

Concerns over new UN Human Rights Council members

13.11.2013 (BBC) - China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Vietnam have been elected to the UN's human rights watchdog, despite concerns about their rights records.

Campaign groups have condemned the election of the countries to the 47-seat Human Rights Council.

Human Rights Watch said some new members had denied access to UN monitors investigating alleged abuses. [read more]

Anger at UN rights council changes

13.11.2013 (Belfast Telegraph) - China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cuba and Algeria have won seats on the UN Human Rights Council, riling independent human rights groups who said their election undermines the watchdog's credibility.

The General Assembly elected 14 new members to the 47-seat Geneva-based council, which can shine a spotlight on rights abuses by adopting resolutions - when it chooses to do so. It also has dozens of special monitors watching problem countries and major issues ranging from executions to drone strikes. [read more]

ONU : Chine, Arabie saoudite, Cuba et Russie élues au Conseil des droits de l’homme

13.11.2013 (RFI) - La Chine, Cuba, la Russie et l’Arabie Saoudite ont été élues le 12 novembre pour trois ans au Conseil des droits de l'homme des Nations unies. Des pays critiqués pour leur bilan peu reluisant en matière des droits de l’homme mais qui ont été facilement élus par l’Assemblée générale de l’ONU. L'Assemblée générale était appelée à renouveler 14 des 47 Etats membres du Conseil, dont le siège est à Genève. [en savoir plus...]

Russland, China und Kuba in UN-Menschenrechtsrat gewählt

12.11.2013 (Frankfurter Neue Presse) New York. Trotz der Proteste von Menschenrechtlern sind Russland, China und Kuba in den Menschenrechtsrat der Vereinten Nationen gewählt worden. Auch Saudi-Arabien und Vietnam bekamen am Dienstag in der UN-Vollversammlung genügend Stimmen für das Genfer Gremium. [Weiterlesen]

Why China should not be elected to the UN Rights Council – by Chen Guangcheng

12.11.2013 Chen Guangcheng (UN Watch) - It is very good to be here today to discuss with all of you whether China’s authoritative powers qualify it to join the UN committee. So actually the reasons to oppose such a dictatorial power from entering the committee, and the reason to oppose this is very simple. It is something all of you will be able to understand.

If you allow such an authoritative dictatorial power to enter the committee, then isn’t it very clear that all of you will see it? The reason they want to enter into this committee is very obviously not to promote human rights, they are using this opportunity to prevent other democratic countries from questioning their human rights record. [read more]

China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cuba win seats on UN Human Rights Council, drawing scorn

12.11.2013 By Peter James Spielmann, AP (canada.com) -China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cuba and Algeria won seats Tuesday on the U.N. Human Rights Council, riling independent human rights groups who said their election undermined the rights watchdog's credibility.

The General Assembly elected 14 new members to the 47-seat Geneva-based council, which can shine a spotlight on rights abuses by adopting resolutions — when it chooses to do so. It also has dozens of special monitors watching problem countries and major issues ranging from executions to drone strikes. [read more]

Vietnam may resume execution by firing squads for death row inmates

09.11.2013 (The Japan Times) - HANOI – Vietnam is mulling the resumption of execution by firing squad because of problems obtaining chemicals for lethal injections, state media reported.

The Laborer newspaper Friday quoted Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang as asking the lawmaking National Assembly to allow the use of firing squads until the end of 2015, along with execution by lethal injection. [read more]

Pressefreiheit in Vietnam: Bloggerverfolgung und Saucenopern

18/10/2013 von Christian Bartels (evangelisch.de) - Das Internet ist überall in Vietnams Hauptstadt, aber in kaum einem anderen Staat leben Blogger so gefährlich. Christian Bartels war auf Einladung des Auswärtigen Amtes und des Goethe-Institutes beim deutsch-vietnamesischen "Mediendialog" in Hanoi. Ein Bericht aus einem Land zwischen Medienwandel, Zeitungskrise und staatlichem Meinungsmonopol. [Weiterlesen]

STELLUNGNAHME des Forums „Vietnam 21“ zur Kandidatur von China, Vietnam und anderen Unrechtsstaaten für den UN-Menschenrechtsrat

Kein Sitz für Vietnam im UN-Menschenrechtsrat!

Am 12. November 2013 werden die neuen Mitglieder des UN-Menschenrechtsrats für die Periode 2014-2016 gewählt. Ausgerechnet Unrechtsstaaten wie China, Vietnam, Kuba, Russland, Algerien....kandidieren für einen Sitz im Menschenrechtsrat. Sie wollen sich der Weltgemeinschaft als Hüter der Menschenrechte präsentieren, was absolut absurd ist.

Nach Bestimmung des UN-Menschenrechtsrats (Resolution der UN-Vollversammlung Nr. 60/251) sollen die gewählten Mitglieder „einen Höchststandard bei Förderung und Schutz der Menschenrechte aufrechterhalten“. Davon sind die obengenannten Kandidaten weit entfernt. Vietnam z.B. hat in letzter Zeit die Menschenrechte mit Füßen getreten. Unzählige Menschenrechtsaktivisten und Blogger werden brutal verfolgt. Durch ein zweifelhaftes Dekret behindert Vietnam die Internetfreiheit massiv. Der erste Facebooker wurde bereits verurteilt. [Weiterlesen]

Vietnam: Scores remain imprisoned for speaking out

07.11.2013 (Amnesty International) - Since the beginning of 2012, the Vietnamese authorities have sentenced at least 65 peaceful dissidents to long prison terms in some 20 trials that failed to meet international standards.

The Vietnamese authorities must end their alarming crackdown on dissent and immediately put in place measures to protect activists from further harassment and imprisonment simply for exercising their rights, said Amnesty International.

The new Amnesty report Silenced Voices: Prisoners of Conscience in Vietnam examines how laws and decrees are used to criminalise freedom of expression, both online and in the streets. It also lists 75 prisoners of conscience in Vietnam, some of whom have been locked up in harsh conditions for years. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Rights Groups: UN Human Rights Council Seat an 'Opportunity' for Vietnam

07.11.2013 Marianne Brown (VOA) - HANOI — As Vietnam vies to become a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, rights groups have called on the country to take the opportunity to release an increasing number of peaceful dissidents, stepping up criticism of Vietnam's increasing restrictions of freedom of expression and the growing number of dissidents sent to jail.

Earlier in the week, New York-based Human Rights Watch also called on the government to show it was worthy of becoming a member of the council by releasing ten political prisoners. [read more]

Vietnam: la situation des droits de l'Homme s'aggrave

07.11.2013 (France24) - AFP - Le Vietnam communiste a intensifié sa répression de la dissidence, au moment où il tente d'obtenir un siège au Conseil des droits de l'Homme de l'ONU, a dénoncé jeudi Amnesty International.

Le régime autoritaire a utilisé une série de lois draconiennes pour réprimer un nombre croissant de citoyens cherchant à remettre en question la mainmise du parti communiste au pouvoir, a indiqué le groupe dans un rapport intitulé "Des voix réduites au silence".

"Le Vietnam se transforme rapidement en l'une des plus grandes prisons d'Asie du Sud-Est pour les défenseurs des droits de l'Homme et d'autres militants", a déclaré Rupert Abbott, chercheur de l'ONG. [en savoir plus...]

Top EU Legislators Appeal Against UNHRC Candidacies of China, Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia

07.11.2013 (UN Watch) Appeal Against Unworthy UN Human Rights Candidacies

Excellency,

We, the undersigned members of parliament, human rights activists and non-governmental organizations, call on you to publicly oppose the candidacies of Algeria, China, Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, for seats on the United Nations Human Rights Council, elections for which will be held on November 12, 2013. We urge you to take action to defeat these manifestly unworthy candidacies, which threaten to cast a shadow upon the reputation of the Council—and of the United Nations as a whole.

Candidates for the UN Human Rights Council, according to General Assembly Resolution 60/251, are supposed to be countries that “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights.” [read more]

Viet Nam: Report documents how scores remain imprisoned for speaking out

07.11.2013 (Amnesty International) - The Vietnamese authorities must end their alarming crackdown on dissent and immediately put in place measures to protect activists from further harassment and imprisonment simply for exercising their rights, Amnesty International said in a new report today.

Silenced Voices: Prisoners of Conscience in Viet Nam examines how laws and decrees are used to criminalize freedom of expression, both online and in the streets. It also lists 75 prisoners of conscience in Viet Nam, some of whom have been locked up in harsh conditions for years. [read more]

AI insta a Vietnam a poner fin a la persecución de activistas y blogueros

06.11.2013 (Univision) - EFE - Amnistía Internacional (AI) instó hoy al Gobierno de Vietnam a poner fin a la persecución de activistas y blogueros quienes "son encarcelamiento simplemente por ejercer sus derechos", apuntó en un comunicado la organización.

"Vietnam se está convirtiendo en una de las cárceles más grandes del Sudeste Asiático para los defensores de los derechos humanos y otros activistas. Esta represión alarmante del Gobierno contra la libertad de expresión debe terminar", declaró Rupert Abbott, investigador de AI para Vietnam. [seguir leyendo]

UN-Menschenrechtsrat: Kein Sitz für China. Stand Up For Tibet!

27.10.2013 (China Observer) - Mit einem Flashmob auf dem Pariser Platz vor dem Brandenburger Tor hat die Tibet Jugend der Tibet Initiative Deutschland e.V. gestern auf die anstehende Wahl Chinas in den UN-Menschenrechtsrat Anfang November aufmerksam gemacht.

“Sollte China trotz der Kritiken ohne Bedingungen in den Menschenrechtsrat aufgenommen werden, steht die Glaubwürdigkeit der UNO auf dem Spiel!”, so Nina Liebhaber. “Daher sollte Deutschland bei der UN-Generalversammlung mit NEIN gegen die Aufnahme Chinas in den Menschenrechtsrat stimmen!”. [Weiterlesen]

US Official Says Vietnam Must Progress on Rights to Deepen US Ties

06.11.2013 Michael Lipin (VOA)  - A senior U.S. diplomat says Vietnam must make "demonstrable progress" on human rights in the coming months, if it wants to deepen its relationship with the United States, a former wartime foe.

In an exclusive interview with VOA, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Scott Busby said he stressed the importance of human rights to Vietnamese officials on a trip to Vietnam last week. [read more]

Activists Want to Keep China Off UN Human Rights Council

05.11.2013  By Nick Zifcak (Epoch Times) NEW YORK—China is not fit to be a U.N. steward of human rights, say activists. A seasoned U.N. human rights campaigner says the activists might be able to thwart China’s bid to rejoin the U.N. council.

On Nov. 12 the 193 members of the United Nations will elect 14 new members to the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC). China is one of five Asian nations competing for four Asia-region seats on the council in the upcoming term. [read more]

Inept or clever? Vietnam’s censors keep everyone guessing

Vietnam's government keeps cultural activities from web comics to concerts under its watchful eye, for sex as much as sedition.

05.11.2013 By Helen Clark (Index on Censorship) - In late October blogger Dinh Nhat Uy became the first activist sentenced in Vietnam for his Facebook posts, or, more specifically “abusing democratic freedoms” via Facebook (the much-used Article 258 of the legal code). Uy received a 15 month suspended sentence and in that regard he is luckier than the legion of bloggers, writers and activists who have been sent to prison or rehabilitation centres by the government in recent years.

But it is not just bloggers and activists who fall under the government’s watchful eye. Cultural activities from web comics to concerts are also monitored, for sex as much as sedition. [read more]

NGOs Release Report Urging EU & US to Oppose China, Russia, Cuba & Saudi Arabia in Next Week’s Election to UN Human Rights Council

04.11.2013 (UN Watch) - GENEVA, November 4, 2013 – As the U.N. prepares to elect 14 nations next week to its highest human rights body, a coalition of non-governmental human rights groups sent a letter today to U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power and EU foreign affairs commissioner Catherine Ashton urging them to oppose the candidacies of China, Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Jordan, and Vietnam, which were found to be “Not Qualified” under the U.N.’s own membership criteria, in a Report on UNHRC Candidates being presented right now at a UN breifing in New York before media, diplomats and human rights activists.

The qualifications of Maldives, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, South Sudan, Uruguay were deemed “questionable” based on problematic human right records or in their UN voting records. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnamese pro-democracy activist breaks news of his detention in video aired on Facebook

31.10.2013 Updated 9:54 AM (The Washington Post) AP - HANOI, Vietnam — A pro-democracy blogger broke the news of his own detention and eventual release in Vietnam through Facebook, another sign of how the social network is shaking up the country’s activist movement and worrying its authoritarian rulers.

In a video message posted by activists soon after his detention at the Hanoi airport Wednesday night, Nguyen Lan Thang said, “When you see this video, it’s certain that I have been arrested by security forces.”

On Thursday afternoon, Thang said he been released, also via Facebook.

“Too much taxpayer’s money has been spent on me since yesterday,” he wrote in reference to his detention. “My apologies to all of you.” [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Aktivist für mehr Demokratie in Vietnam - Blogger meldet eigene Festnahme

31.10.2013 (RP Online) - Hanoi (RPO). Ein junger vietnamesischer Blogger und Aktivist für mehr Demokratie, Nguyen Lan Thang, hat über Facebook seine eigene Festnahme bekanntgegeben. In einem Video, das von Aktivisten am Donnerstag hochgeladen wurde, erklärt Thang: "Wenn Ihr diese Nachricht seht, dann ist es sicher, dass ich von den Sicherheitskräften festgenommen wurde." Der Blogger war bei seiner Rückkehr aus dem Ausland am Flughafen in Hanoi von Beamten abgefangen worden. Das berichteten befreundete Aktivisten, die zum Flughafen gefahren waren, um Thang zu begrüßen. [Weiterlesen]

Vietnam blogger airs news of detention on Facebook

31.10.2013 By Chris Brummitt (Associated Press) - HANOI - A pro-democracy blogger broke the news of his own detention in Vietnam through Facebook, another sign of how the social network is shaking up the country's activist movement and worrying its authoritarian rulers.

In a video message posted by activists soon after his detention at the Hanoi airport Wednesday night, Nguyen Lan Thang said, "When you see this video it's certain that I have been arrested by security forces."

Security authorities, who rarely speak to the media, were not available for comment Thursday. [read more]

Vietnamese Blogger Held on Return From Trip Abroad

30/10/2013 (RFA) - An outspoken Vietnamese blogger has been detained at Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport upon his return from a three-month trip to the Philippines and Thailand, where he had met with U.N. human rights officials and advocacy and media groups, friends and fellow bloggers said Wednesday.

Nguyen Lan Thang, who began blogging for RFA’s Vietnamese Service last month, told friends by telephone that he had been taken into custody Wednesday night Vietnamese time upon arrival from the Thai capital Bangkok, they said.

A day before, he had posted on Facebook a brief video message indicating he expected to be arrested.

“Hello my friends! When you see this video, it is certain I have been arrested by the security forces,” he said in the clip.

“But don't worry, I will come home to be with you all soon,” said Thang, a fierce critic of Vietnam’s strict media controls. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam Harasses the NGOs

International human rights organizations aren’t welcome

30.10.2013 Written by Huynh Thuc Vy (Asia Sentinel) - Even as Vietnam vies for election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2014-2016, the country is in an intensive campaign to keep NGOs such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Reporters Sans Frontieres, Front Line Defenders and PEN International at bay Despite the government hostility, these organizations have played an important role in promoting the cause and struggle for human rights and democracy in Vietnam, even as a fraudulent legal system is being used as a tool for political repression and suppression of human rights.

The regulation dealing with registration and operation of NGOs stipulates: "The State of Vietnam encourages and facilitates benefits to non-governmental organizations from abroad in the implementation of humanitarian activities and development." That apparently means that the authorities welcome only operational humanitarian and development NGOs rather than for ones seeking to protect human rights. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: abuso de "libertad democrática", 15 meses de cárcel para activista vietnamita

30.10.2013 de Paul N. Hung (AsiaNews) -  - Un tribunal de la provincia meridional de Long condenó a 15 meses de detención- pena conmutada en arresto domiciliario- al joven activista de 30 años Dinh Nhat Uy. El veredicto llegó ayer, al finalizar un proceso durado sólo un día, basado en "la acusación de haber abusado las libertades democráticas" en una red  social. La sola culpa del joven fue el haber usado Facebook para pedir la liberación de su hermano mayor-que está purgando 4 años de cárcel- y por haber denunciado la política "imperialista" de China en la región de Asia- Pacífico. A nada sirvieron las campañas de apoyo al joven, promovidas entre otros por grupos católicos que han celebrado misas y oraciones por la familia. [seguir leyendo]

Vietnam’s Latest Trial Shows New Generation of Activism

29.10.2013 Marianne Brown (VOA) - HANOI — A man in Vietnam has been convicted of "abusing democratic freedoms" for using the social media site Facebook to campaign for the release of his brother, a jailed government critic. It is the latest case involving a new generation of Internet-based activists. Thirty-year-old Dinh Nhat Uy was put on trial Tuesday for posting information on his Facebook page in support for his brother, who is serving a four-year jail sentence for distributing anti-government leaflets. Vietnamese defense attorney Ha Huy Son says that after a brief trial, a court found Uy guilty Tuesday of using the social media site to criticize the government. Son said Uy received a 15-month suspended sentence for “abusing democratic freedoms” under Article 258 of the penal code. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

15-month suspended jail term for blogger who campaigned for brother’s release

29.10.2013 (Reporters Without Borders) - A court in the southern province of Long An passed a 15-month suspended prison sentence today on the blogger and activist Dinh Nhat Uy for criticizing the government on Facebook.

He was convicted under article 258 of the criminal code, which penalizes “abusing democratic freedoms against the interests of the state and the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals.”

“We condemn this conviction, which was a reprisal for Uy’s involvement in the online campaign for the release of his jailed younger brother, the blogger Dinh Nguyen Kha,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Although released, Uy will be under surveillance. The sentence is one more example of how the authorities harass the families of jailed cyber-dissidents. [read more]

Vinh diocese against the conviction of two parishioners from My Yen

29.10.2013 by J.B. An Dang (AsiaNews) - Vinh (AsiaNews) - In a strongly worded communiqué released on 26 October, the Diocese of Vinh slammed the verdict against two members of the Catholic parish of My Yen, leading figures in the struggle for religious freedom and human rights. Church leaders did not mince words in attacking the manner of their conviction, and the so-called public trial by the People's Court in Nghe An province. They also strongly criticised state media for saying that the punishment fit the crime, when both local and international public opinion know that "such cases are handled by the government, which tries (innocent) civilians to cover up misdeeds by public officials".  [read more]

Vietnam: Bewährungsstrafe für Dinh Nhat Uy wegen Missbrauchs demokratischer Freiheiten

29.10.2013 Von Andrea Jonjic (netzpolitik) - Dinh Nhat Uy wurde im Juni verhaftet, er hatte auf Facebook die Freilassung seines Bruders gefordert. Dieser war im Mai diesen Jahres zu acht Jahren Haft verurteilt worden, weil er Propaganda gegen den Staat verbreitet haben soll. Laut Phil Robertson, dem Vizedirektor von Human Rights Watch Asien, sei die heutige Verhandlung eine der ersten in Vietnam, in der es hauptsächlich um das Posten von Inhalten auf Facebook ging. Dinh Nhat Uy wurde heute zu einer 15-monatigen Bewährungsstrafe verurteilt, wieder einmal nach Artikel 258 des Strafgesetzbuches (“Missbrauch demokratischer Freiheiten gegen das Staatsinteresse”). [Weiterlesen]

Vietnam geht gegen Aktivisten vor - Facebook-Nutzer wegen Regierungskritik verurteilt

29.10.2013 (RPO) Hanoi - Ein vietnamesisches Gericht hat einen Mann wegen der Nutzung des sozialen Online-Netzwerks Facebook zur Verbreitung von Kritik an der Regierung verurteilt. Er hatte öffentlich die Freilassung seines Bruders gefordert.

Der Bruder eines inhaftierten Aktivisten ist in Vietnam zu 15 Monaten Haft verurteilt worden, weil er auf Facebook dessen Freilassung gefordert hatte. Dinh Nhat Uy (30) sei wegen "Missbrauchs demokratischer Freiheiten" verurteilt worden, sagte sein Anwalt Huy Ha Son am Dienstag. [Weiterlesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Facebook-Eintrag kostet 15 Monate Haft

29.10.2013 (tageblatt.lu) - Wegen des "Missbrauchs demokratischer Freiheiten" im Online-Netzwerk Facebook ist ein vietnamesischer Aktivist zu 15 Monaten Haft auf Bewährung verurteilt worden.

Dinh Nhat Uy sei zum Verhängnis geworden, dass er im Internet die Inhaftierung seines Bruders kritisiert und regierungskritisches Material verbreitet habe, sagte sein Anwalt Ha Huy Son nach Bekanntgabe des Urteils am Dienstag. Uy sei unschuldig, das Verfahren gegen ihn nicht fair gewesen. Es ist das wohl erste Mal, dass einem vietnamesischen Aktivisten wegen Kommentaren in einem sozialen Internet-Netzwerk der Prozess gemacht wurde.

Zur Bewährung ausgesetzte Haftstrafen werden in Vietnam üblicherweise in Hausarrest umgewandelt. Nach dem Bewährungszeitraum müsse Uy zudem ein weiteres Jahr unter Hausarrest verbringen, sagte sein Anwalt der Nachrichtenagentur AFP. Anhänger des Verurteilten forderten vor dem Gerichtsgebäude dessen Freilassung. [Weiterlesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Facebook: Ein Kommentar kann 15 Monate Gefängnis einbringen

29.10.2013 (FORMAT.at) Ein Facebook-Nutzer hatte über die Plattform die Freilassung seines Bruders gefordert und bekommt nun selbst eine heftige Haftstrafe aufgebrummt.

Dinh Nhat Uy (30) sei wegen "Missbrauchs demokratischer Freiheiten" verurteilt worden, sagte sein Anwalt Huy Ha Son am Dienstag. Die Strafe wurde zur Bewährung ausgesetzt. Der Fall hat unter Bloggern Aufmerksamkeit erregt, weil die Behörden erstmals Social Media ins Visier nahmen. [Weiterlesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam. Condamné pour des critiques postées sur Facebook

29.10.2013 (ouest-france) - Un Vietnamien a été condamné mardi à 15 mois de prison avec sursis pour avoir posté des critiques sur Facebook, un acte considéré comme un « abus des libertés démocratiques contre les intérêts de l’Etat », nouvelle étape de la répression de toute critique par le régime communiste.

De facto, Dinh Nhat Uy, 30 ans, effectuera ses 15 mois de sursis en une forme de résidence surveillée, une procédure classique au Vietnam. Cette période devrait ensuite être suivie d’un an supplémentaire de résidence surveillée, a précisé son avocat Ha Huy Son.

L’avocat a réclamé sa libération immédiate, disant son client « victime d’une injustice », devant ce tribunal de la province de Long An, dans le sud du Vietnam. [en savoir plus...] - [tiếng Việt]

Un tribunal condena a un vietnamita a 15 meses de arresto domiciliario por "abusar" de su libertad en Facebook

29.10.2013 (Reuters/europa press) - Hanoi - Un tribunal de Vietnam ha condenado a 15 meses de arresto domiciliario a un internauta que llevó a cabo una campaña en la red social Facebook con el objetivo de pedir la liberación de su hermano, en prisión por criticar al Gobierno. El juzgado ha justificado la sentencia con el argumento de que el acusado ha "abusado de su libertad".

Un tribunal de la provincia de Long An, en el sur del país, ha asegurado que los esfuerzos de Dinh Nhat Uy por intentar revocar a través de Facebook la sentencia de su hermano, impuesta en mayo de 2012 por publicar propaganda contra el Estado, han provocado que éste incurra en el mismo delito. [seguir leyendo] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam activist jailed for Facebook posts

29.10.2013 (news24) - Hanoi - A young Vietnamese activist went on trial on Tuesday for "abusing democratic freedoms" with a series of angry Facebook posts, in an escalation of the communist regime's crackdown on online dissent.

Dinh Nhat Uy, aged 30, appeared in court in the southern province of Long An on charges related to an Internet campaign against his brother's imprisonment for spreading anti-government propaganda. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam court convicts dissident Facebook user

29.10.2013 (AP) -  Hanoi, Vietnam - A Vietnamese court has convicted a dissident of using Facebook to spread criticism of the government but suspended the 15-month prison sentence it imposed.

The verdict Tuesday in southern Vietnam means Nhat Uy was released from detention.

Uy's lawyer Ha Huy Son says he was convicted of "abusing democratic freedoms", a crime that carries a maximum sentence of three years. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Activists Call for Vietnamese Dissident’s Release Ahead of Trial

28.10.2013 (RFA) - Detained Vietnamese activist Dinh Nhat Uy who goes on trial Tuesday for “abusing democratic freedoms” should be freed unconditionally, rights groups and his lawyer say, questioning the basis for the charge he faces and the law under which he is accused.

Uy, 30, will be tried at the Long An provincial court under the penal code’s Article 258, a charge the one party Communist state frequently levels at activists. [read more]

Vietnam: Drop Charges Against Internet Activist

28.10.2013 (HRW) - (Bangkok) – Vietnam’s government should unconditionally release the social campaigner Dinh Nhat Uy, Human Rights Watch said today. He is scheduled for trial in Long An provincial court on October 29, 2013, for “abuse of democratic freedoms.”

Vietnam should revoke penal code article 258, under which he was charged, and stop prosecuting people for peacefully exercising their civil and political rights. [read more]

Vinh, 7 months jail for two Catholics who fought for religious freedom

25.10.2013 (AsiaNews) - Disappointment, anger, dismay: this is the reaction of family, priests and parishioners in My yen following the sentence imposed on two Vietnamese Catholics in prison for months, for having fought in favor of human rights and religious freedom. The entire Vietnamese Catholic community had fought for their release and their story, thanks to the commitment and testimony of the Bishop of Vinh Msgr. Paul Nguyen Thai Hop, had garnered international interest. However, a court in the coastal region in north-central Vietnam issued the verdict on charges of "disturbing" public order. A specious charge frequently used by judges and by the communist authorities to silence dissent and free voices in the country. [read more]

Vinh, 7 meses de prisión para los dos católicos protagonistas de la lucha por la libertad religiosa

25.10.2013 (AsiaNews) - Vinh - Angustia, ira, consternación: estas son las reacciones entre miembros de la familia, sacerdotes y feligreses de My Yen por la condena impuesta a dos católicos vietnamitas encarcelados durante meses después de haber luchado por los derechos humanos y la libertad religiosa. Por su liberación, en los últimos meses había batallado toda la comunidad católica vietnamita y su historia, gracias a los esfuerzos y el testimonio del obispo de Vinh Monseñor Paul Nguyen Thai Hop, había adquirido importancia internacional. Sin embargo, un tribunal en la región costera en el centro-norte de Vietnam emitió el veredicto basado en la acusación de "ruptura" del orden público. Un pretexto y repetidamente utilizado por los magistrados y las autoridades comunistas para silenciar la disidencia voces de libertad en el país. [seguir leyendo]

Family of Jailed Vietnamese Blogger Urges Public, Media Turnout at Trial

24.10.2013 Tra Mi (VOA) - The mother of a well-known Vietnamese dissident blogger is appealing to VOA and other media outlets, as well as the public, to attend his upcoming trial on charges of violating state interests. Dinh Nhat Uy is the first blogger publicly charged under Vietnam's controversial new Article 258, which provides criminal penalties for "abusing freedoms to infringe upon the state's interests".

He was arrested after writing blog posts critical of the four year prison sentence given to his brother in August following a highly publicized trial of two anti-China student activists. Interviews with VOA and other media outlets are cited in the charges against Dinh, who will go on trial on October 29 in the city of Long An. [read more]

INVITATION TO DINH NHAT UY TRIAL

To: All citizens of Viet Nam; All international foreign affair agencies in Vietnam; All news agencies, human rights organizations,

Subject: INVITATION TO DINH NHAT UY TRIAL

Ladies and gentlemen,

My son, Dinh Nhat Uy, was arrested on June 15, 2013 on charges of “abusing democratic freedoms” stated in Article 258 of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s Penal Code – as accused by the Public Security Agency in Long An province.

Uy is the older brother of Dinh Nguyen Kha, a prisoner of conscience who was just sentenced to 4 years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the state” and is currently facing another trial on charges of “terrorism” in a case in which he is actually a victim. Out of concern for his brother, Dinh Nhat Uy had used social media on internet such as blog and facebook to defend Dinh Nguyen Kha against the unjust sentence issued and to defend freedom of speech, freedom of expression guaranteed to the people based on Vietnam’s 1992 Constitution.

Instead of strictly enforcing the Constitution on the topic of basic human rights, public authorities and police security in Long An province arrested Dinh Nhat Uy and accused him of “infringing” on the rights of other organizations and individuals through speaking up against the sentence carried out in Dinh Nguyen Kha’s trial. Moreover, the authorities also used Uy’s stand against China invasion of Vietnam’s territories in Southeast China sea as “evidence” to prosecute him. The United Nation’s committee against arbitrary arrest and detention has announced, “The arrest of blogger Dinh Nhat Uy for expressing his opinions is a violation of basic human rights and freedom.”

The public hearing of Dinh Nhat Uy will take place at 7:30 AM on October 29, 2013 in Long An People’s Court at 116 Truong Dinh, District 1, Tan An city, Long An province. Our family wants to extend the invitation to everyone to attend the trial to support Dinh Nhat Uy and us. Your presence will not only be an encouragement for the family and Dinh Nhat Uy but also an honor to basic human rights recognized and protected by International law as well as Vietnam’s law. Because this is a public hearing, everybody should be able to attend without any trouble from anybody.

Thank you and best regards,

Long An, 23 October 2013

On behalf of the family

Nguyen Thi Kim Lien

Mother of Dinh Nhat Uy

* [tiếng Việt]

Schutz vor Überwachung im Internet: ROG unterstützt das Tor-Netzwerk

24.10.2013 (ROG) - Journalisten, Blogger und Online-Aktivisten kämpfen in vielen Ländern gegen Zensur und  staatliche Überwachung: Polizei, Geheimdienste und andere Behörden versuchen, unliebsame Informationen zu unterdrücken. Sie wollen herausfinden, zu welchen Themen Medienschaffende recherchieren, mit wem sie chatten oder E-Mails austauschen. Reporter ohne Grenzen (ROG) setzt sich deshalb seit vielen Jahren weltweit für den sicheren und unzensierten Zugang zum Internet ein. Als praktischen Beitrag dazu betreibt die deutsche ROG-Sektion einen Knotenpunkt für das Anonymisierungsnetzwerk Tor... Tor – kurz für „The Onion Routing“ – schützt Internetnutzer, indem es ihren Datenverkehr anonymisiert und so verhindert, dass er von Unbefugten mitgelesen und analysiert wird. Dazu werden die Datenströme verschlüsselt und auf zufälligen, wechselnden Routen über jeweils drei Server geleitet, von denen jeder nur seine unmittelbaren Vorgänger und Nachfolger kennt. Außerdem ermöglicht das Netzwerk den Zugriff auf zensierte Webseiten – sei es aus Ländern wie China, Vietnam oder Iran, aus öffentlichen WLAN-Netzen etwa in Hotels und Flughäfen oder aus den Netzwerken von Arbeitgebern wie dem US-Militär. [Weiterlesen]

Declaration by the Network of Vietnamese Bloggers on the prosecution and trial of Đinh Nhật Uy

23.10.2013 (Network of Vietnamese Bloggers) - Whereas the People's Procuratorate of Tân An City on September 6, 2013 released the indictment against Đinh Nhật Uy and is going to put Uy on trial on October 29, 2013, the Network of Vietnamese Bloggers asserts and declares the following, on the prosecution as well as the forthcoming trial of Uy: 1. Citizen Đinh Nhật Uy is being charged under a law which, by providing for punishment upon “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens”, has:

- violated Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which stipulates that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”;... [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: Revise Constitution to Protect Rights

Assembly Should Reform Abusive System, Endorse International Standards

22.10.2013 (HRW) - (New York) – Vietnam’s National Assembly should ensure that the country’s revised constitution fully meets international human rights standards, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the chairman of the National Assembly. Vietnam’s parliament is considering and expected to vote on constitutional amendments during a session from October 21 until November 30, 2013. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Imprisoned Vietnamese blogger Dieu Cay wins PEN Canada's One Humanity Award

21.10.2013 (PR) - TORONTO/CNW - Vietnamese blogger Dieu Cay will receive the One Humanity Award at PEN Canada's annual benefit at the 34th International Festival of Authors (IFOA) on October 24, 2013. The award recognizes Dieu Cay's courageous dissent and continued advocacy for human rights in Vietnam despite a crackdown on online writing by the authorities.

The One Humanity Award of $5,000 is given by PEN Canada to a writer whose work "transcends the boundaries of national divides and inspires connections across cultures." The award will be given, in absentia, as Dieu Cay is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for "conducting propaganda against the state."  [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Mennonite pastor abused in prison in Vietnam

21.10.2013 by J.B. An Dang (AsiaNews) - Nguyen Cong Chinh , 44, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in March 2012 for " undermining national unity ." According to his wife, he was attacked in his cell but the guards failed to intervene. He has wounds to his body and face. Couples meetings taped.

" I fear for his life, because he has often been the victim of violent attacks by other inmates".  The complaint comes from Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong , wife of the Protestant Christian Nguyen Cong Chinh (pictured) , who was imprisoned in the An Phuoc jail and is a constant victim of ill-treatment and abuse by guards and fellow inmates . The man, a 44 year old Mennonite pastor , was arrested by the police in April 2011 and sentenced in March last year to 11 years in prison . The allegations against him - specious and the result of attempts to suppress voices critical of the communist regime - he had "undermined national unity" and "took an active part in movements that oppose the state."  [read more]

Pastor menonita víctima de abusos en las cárceles vietnamitas

21.10.2013 by J.B. An Dang (AsiaNews) - Nguyen Cong Chinh, 44 años, fue condenado a 11 años de prisión en marzo 2012 por "haber minado la unidad nacional". Según la denuncia de la esposa, él habría sufrido abusos en la celda pero los guardias jamás intervinieron. Él presenta heridas en el cuerpo y en la cara. Los encuentros de la pareja fueron filmados y grabados.

"Temo por su vida, porque fue víctima varias veces de ataques violentos por parte de otros detenidos". La denuncia nos la hace llegar la señora Nguyen Thi Hong, esposa del cristiano protestante Nguyen Cong Chih, prisionero en la cárcel de An Phouc y víctima de maltratos y abusos cometidos por guardias y compañeros de celda. El hombre, de 44 años es pastor menonita, fue arrestado por la policía en abril de 2011 y condenado en marzo pasado a 11 años de prisión. Las acusaciones a su cargo- pretenciosas y funcionales a la obra de represión de las voces que critican al régimen comunista de "haber minado la unidad nacional" y "de haber tomado parte, en modo activo en movimientos que se oponen al Estado. [seguir leyendo]

Buddhists and Christians denounce Hanoi for using law to control religions

19.10.2013 (AsiaNews) Hanoi - Far from being "legal means" to ensure the religious freedom, the norms adopted in recent years by the Communist government in matters of worship have become an instrument of repression, subordination and submission to the State of the faithful and entire communities. This is highlighted in a Joint Declaration by Vietnamese Religious Leaders - drawn up in early October and published by Eglise d'Asie ( EDA ) - which strongly criticizes the Norm on Religions in force since 2004 and its implementation of Decree number 92 issued in 2012. The text was drawn up and signed by a group formed by Hao Hao Buddhists, Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, members of cadaoismo, Protestant pastors and Catholic priests . It is directed to government officials in Hanoi, the Parliament, Vietnamese personalities at home and abroad, as well as the major international organizations in defense of human rights. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Déclaration commune de dignitaires religieux vietnamiens 

19.10.2013 (Églises d'Asie) « Déclaration commune des dignitaires religieux vietnamiens au sujet de l’Ordonnance sur les religions entrée en vigueur en 2004 (1) et du Décret d’application de l’Ordonnance paru en 2012 (2). » Ce texte a été rédigé et signé par un groupe de responsables religieux issus de diverses confessions. On y trouve des représentants du bouddhisme Hoa Hao originel, du bouddhisme unifié du Vietnam, du caodaïsme, plusieurs pasteurs protestants et plusieurs prêtres catholiques. Leur analyse porte sur la nature et les objectifs des textes législatifs les plus récents destinés à « gérer » les organisations religieuses et leurs activités. Il s’agit essentiellement de l’Ordonnance sur les croyances et la religion, mise en vigueur en novembre 2004, qui a été complétée par divers décrets d’application, dont le plus récent date de 2012. [en savoir plus...] - [tiếng Việt]

Budistas y cristianos contra Hanoi: usa la ley para el control de las religiones

19.10.2013 (AsiaNews) Hanoi - Far from being "legal means" to ensure the religious freedom, the norms adopted in recent years by the Communist government in matters of worship have become an instrument of repression , subordination and submission to the State of the faithful and entire communities. This is highlighted in a Joint Declaration by Vietnamese Religious Leaders - drawn up in early October and published by Eglise d'Asie ( EDA ) - which strongly criticizes the Norm on Religions in force since 2004 and its implementation of Decree number 92 issued in 2012 . The text was drawn up and signed by a group formed by Hao Hao Buddhists , Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam , members of cadaoismo , Protestant pastors and Catholic priests . It is directed to government officials in Hanoi , the Parliament, Vietnamese personalities at home and abroad , as well as the major international organizations in defense of human rights. [seguir leyendo] - [tiếng Việt]

Un pasteur protestant victime de mauvais traitements en prison

18.10.2013 (Églises d'Asie) - Dans un entretien avec Radio Free Asia (RFA), l’épouse du pasteur Nguyên Công Chinh a déploré les mauvais traitements subis en permanence par celui-ci dans la prison où il est incarcéré. Nguyên Công Chinh est un passeur protestant luthérien qui, après avoir été arrêté par la police au mois d’avril 2011, a été condamné par un tribunal populaire à onze ans de prison. Il était accusé d’avoir « porté atteinte à l’unité nationale » et d’avoir « calomnié le pouvoir ». [en savoir plus...] - [tiếng Việt]

Mediendialog in Vietnam

16.10.2013 Von Markus Beckedahl (netzpolitik) - In der vergangenen Wochen hatte ich die Chance, im Rahmen des 2. Deutsch-Vietnamesischer Mediendialog für ein paar Tage in Hanoi, der Hauptstadt von Vietnam zu verbringen. Eingeladen hatten das Goethe Institut in Hanoi und das Auswärtige Amt. Zusammen mit fünf anderen deutschen Journalisten trafen wir auf 14 vietnamesische Journalisten. Spannend waren die Diskussionen, wenn es um konkrete Unterschiede ging. Vietnam lebt immer noch mit einem Bein im Sozialismus, während das zweite Bein der Kapitalismus ist. [Weiterlesen]Australian PM Abbott urged to focus on rights in Asia

15.10.2013 (News24) - Sydney: Human Rights Watch on Tuesday said it was concerned Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott failed to discuss rights with Asian leaders, saying he shouldn't give them a "free pass" on the issue.

In a letter to the new conservative leader, the group said Australia could make a significant difference in promoting rights in the region with the "right mix of pressure and engagement".

"Pre-election you have stated that your party's foreign policy will be 'designed to protect and project our reputation as a strong and prosperous nation and our values as an open liberal democracy'," the letter to Abbott said.  [read more]

Vietnam: Persecución masiva de blogueros políticos

15.10.2013 Escrito por Mong Palatino, traducido por Lourdes Sada (Global Voices Español) - En Vietnam hay actualmente 35 blogueros políticos en prisión. La continua persecución sufrida por los blogueros y disidentes ha sacado a la luz la urgente necesidad de reformar las leyes que regulan lo que se dice dentro y fuera de la red en el país.

El artículo 88 del código penal, que prohíbe la propaganda contra el estado se utiliza a menudo para detener personas que se oponen al gobierno. El artículo 258 del código penal castiga «el mal uso de las libertades democráticas para atacar los intereses del estado y los derechos e intereses legítimos de colectivos y personas» con condenas de siete años de prisión. [seguir leyendo]

Vietnam's repression extends to Catholics

14.10.2013 by Staff (Baptist Press) - WASHINGTON (BP) Catholics in northern Vietnam protesting against the long-term detention of two parishioners have run afoul of authorities in the Southeast Asian country.

"Anthony" Nguyen Van Hai, 43, and "Peter" Ngo Van Khoi, 53, were arrested May 22 for "disturbing the public order," according to World Watch Monitor. Their alleged criminal act was visiting a Catholic shrine south of Hanoi in the Nghi Phuong Commune in Nghe An Province. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam Detains Dozens Of Pastors, Church Leaders

14.10.2013 (BosNewsLife)- HANOI, VIETNAM - More than 60 Christian pastors and church leaders remained locked in "deplorable conditions" in four prison camps around Vietnam Monday, October 14, just days after religious leaders accused authorities of "attempting to destroy religions" in the Communist-run nation, activists and Christians told BosNewsLife.

Nearly all of the 63 known prisoners on a list are members of ethnic minority communities in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, according to investigators.

"Due to their status as a member of an ethnic minority and their adherence to a faith still seen as an American import, these Christians face a level of discrimination and oppression far higher than most Vietnamese," said International Christian Concern (ICC) a major advocacy group. [read more]

PEN International protests the 30-month sentence and heavy fine handed down to blogger and human rights lawyer Le Quoc Quan

10.10.2013 (PEN International)  - RAN 32/13 10 October 2013 () - PEN International protests the 30-month sentence and heavy fine handed down to blogger and human rights lawyer Le Quoc Quan for alleged tax evasion on 2 October 2013. PEN believes the charges to be politically motivated and that he has been penalized for his human rights work. It is therefore calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

Please send appeals:

• Protesting the 30-month sentence and heavy fine handed down to blogger and human rights lawyer Le Quoc Quan for alleged tax evasion on 2 October 2013;

• Stating that you believe the charges to be politically motivated and intended to prevent him continuing his legitimate human rights activities and from exercising his right to freedom of expression;

• Calling for his immediate and unconditional release;

• Seeking assurances that, while he remains imprisoned, Le Quoc Quan receives adequate medical treatment.

Appeals to: Truong Tan Sang President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Minister of Foreign Affairs Phan Binh Minh ... [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

            

Freedom on the Net 2013 Report: Weniger Freiheiten, mehr Überwachung, härtere Strafen, stärkere Zensur

10.10.2013 (netzpolitik) - ... Indymedia Seiten, Blogs von Aktivisten oder der politischen Opposition werden immer häufiger Ziel von Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacken, die darauf abzielen die entsprechende Website lahmzulegen. Venezuela, Belarus, Vietnam und Bahrain setzen diese Mittel im letzten Jahr häufig ein. Insgesamt konnten ähnliche Strategien in 31 von den 60 untersuchten Ländern festgestellt werden. [Weiterlesen]

Hanoi, abogado católico se reúne con familiares en la cárcel y anuncia recurso contra condena

10.10.2013 (AsiaNews / Agencias) Hanoi - Por primera vez desde su detención - en diciembre de 2012 - al abogado católico vietnamita y disidente Le Quoc Quan se le permitió conocer a miembros de la familia en la cárcel. Condenado en los últimos días a 30 meses en prisión, dijo a su hermano que la sentencia es "sin fundamento" y anunció su intención de "apelación". Las autoridades de Hoa Lo prisión Nº 1 en Hanoi otorgaron una reunión de 30 minutos entre el abogado y cinco miembros de la familia. Con el fin de la prueba y confirmación de la sentencia, las autoridades vietnamitas han concedido a miembros de la familia de Quan "visitas regulares sobre una base mensual". [seguir leyendo] - [tiếng Việt]

Hanoi, Catholic lawyer meets with relatives in prison and announces appeal against conviction

10.10.2013 (AsiaNews) - Hanoi - For the first time since his arrest - in December 2012 - the Vietnamese Catholic lawyer and dissident Le Quoc Quan was allowed to meet family members in prison. Convicted in recent days to 30 months in prison, he has told his brother that the judgment is "without any foundation" and announced his intention to "appeal". Authorities at Hoa Lo Prison No. 1 in Hanoi granted a meeting of about 30 minutes between the lawyer and five family members. With the end of the trial and confirmation of the sentence , the Vietnamese authorities have granted Quan's family members " regular visits on a monthly basis ." [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: Über sechzig religiöse Führer in Haft

10.10.2013 (Radio Vatikan) - Mehr als sechzig Priester bzw. religiöse Führer werden derzeit „unter schwierigen Bedingungen“ in vier Lagern in Vietnam in Haft gehalten. Das meldet die vatikanische Nachrichtenagentur Fides unter Berufung auf eine US-Menschenrechtsorganisation namens „International Christian Concern“. Fast alle Häftlinge gehörten zu ethnischen Minderheiten aus dem zentralen Hochland von Vietnam. Ein aus Vietnam stammender Theologe, der in Rom ein Priesterkolleg leitet, nannte den Bericht Fides gegenüber „vollkommen glaubwürdig“. Es gebe weiterhin „klare Einschränkungen der Meinungs- und Gewissensfreiheit“ im Land.

Vietnam: Blogger-Netzwerk wehrt sich gegen Beschneidung der Meinungsfreiheit

08.10.2013 Von Andrea Jonjic (netzpolitik) - Es häufen sich nicht nur Berichte von festgenommenen regimekritischen Bloggern in Vietnam, zusätzlich trat im September ein Gesetz in Kraft, dass es Vietnamesinnen und Vietnamesen verbietet Nachrichten auf Blogs oder in sozialen Netzwerken wie Twitter und Facebook zu veröffentlichen – erlaubt ist demnach nur noch die Veröffentlichung persönlicher Informationen. Ein weiterer Versuch des Einparteienstaates, Meinungs- und Pressefreiheit einzuschränken...

Aktivist und Blogger Thang Nguyen Lan, der selbst bereits mehrmals verhaftet wurde, spricht in einem 13-minütigen Video nicht nur von dem Netzwerk und der Arbeit gegen Artikel 258, sondern auch über die Bedeutung von Social Media und unabhängigen Nachrichten für die Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner Vietnams... [Weiterlesen]