Menschenrechte / Human Rights (2014/2)

Communist security motorbike strikes and injures Nguyễn Bắc Truyển

29.08.2014 CTV Danlambao * Translated by Jasmine Tran (Dân Làm Báo) - Nguyễn Bắc Truyển was injured after he was hit by the motorbike of two communist securities on 28 August 2014 at around 7pm in Saigon. Truyển is a human rights activist who was sentenced to three and half years in prison for his human rights activities.

The malicious incident occurred when Truyển and his wife Bùi Thị Kim Phượng were walking home from a bus station. Close to 349 Bà Hạc street (Ward 4, District 10), two securities on a motorbike intentionally drove forwards, crashing onto the couple.

The brutal crash left Truyển with a head injury, requiring him to be hospitalised. Bùi Thị Kim Phượng was fortunately uninjured, as the attackers mainly targeted her husband. [read more]

Prominent blogger sentenced to three years in prison

29.08.2014 (Reporters Without Borders) - She and two other activists, who also got jail terms, were arrested in February

The Vietnamese authorities displayed their warped sense of justice again on 26 August when a people’s court in the southern province of Dong Thap sentenced blogger and pro-democracy activist Bui Thi Minh Hang to three years in prison at the end of a summary trial that violated defence rights.

Two other activists who were tried with her, Nguyen Van Minh and Thi Thuy Quynh, were given jail terms of 30 and 24 months respectively. All three were convicted of “causing public disorder” under paragraphs (a) and (b) of article 245 of the penal code.

The authorities deployed major security measures at the trial and prevented more than 200 people, including friends and relatives, from attending. Around 40 bloggers who went to the courthouse to support the defendants were roughed up and arrested by police, who confiscated mobile phones, cameras and other electronic devices. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Joint statement of IJAVN and FVPoC on the Vietnam government’ violation on the right to the freedom of movement

29.08.2014 (VRNs) - Saigon - Once again the Vietnam government seriously violate the right to freedom of movement of citizens relating to the trial, considered as "public", of Bui Thi Minh Hang and her two colleagues on Aug 26, 2014 in Dong Thap province.

Once again the international community, governments interested in democracy and human rights need to know and understand deeply about the truth of the commitment that "State of Vietnam always concerns and guarantees the human rights", even after the state has been a member of the Human Rights Council and waiting for signs of hope from TPP and lethal weapons. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnamese Activists Get Three Years in Prison for ‘Obstructing Traffic’

29.08.2014 By Mong Palatino (The Diplomat) - Three Vietnamese activists were found guilty by a local court of “serious obstruction to traffic” when they rode their motorbikes last February from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Thap province to visit a former political prisoner.

Prominent Vietnamese activist blogger Bui Thi Minh Hang was given a three-year prison sentence while her two other companions, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Nguyen Van Minh, received jail terms of two years and 2.5 years, respectively. The one-day trial was held six months after the three were arrested. Twenty-one other activists took part in the activity last February but only three were charged for violating Article 245 (causing public disorder). [read more]

Activist Blogger in Vietnam Gets 3 Years Behind Bars for ‘Obstructing Traffic’

29.08.2014 (IPF) - A court has sentenced prominent Vietnamese activist blogger Bui Thi Minh Hang to three years in prison for posing a “serious obstruction to traffic.” Her two other companions, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Nguyen Van Minh, received sentences of 2 years and 2.5 years, respectively. The three were among the 21 arrested last February while riding motorbikes from Ho Chi Minh City to the Dong Thap province, where they planned to visit a lawyer and a former political prisoner. Of the group, however, police charged only the three with violating Article 245 of the criminal code (causing public disorder).

Bui Thi Minh Hang is a known anti-China activist, and also a vocal critic of the government’s policies on land, religion, and human rights. Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh is a fellow activist blogger. Nguyen Van Minh is a Hao-Hao-Buddhist-sect follower and an activist for religious freedom. [read more]

Ein Hilferuf aus Vietnam

28.08.2014 Ngoc Nhi Nguyen (Danlambao), dt. Übers. von Dr. Thanh Nguyen-Brem (Forum Vietnam 21) - Frau Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lua, ein Mitglied der Organisation „Vietnamesische Frauen für Menschenrechte „ (www.vnwhr.net) und die Tochter des politischen Gefangenen Nguyen Van Lia, der im Gefängnis Xuan Loc, Dong Nai seit 2011 festgehalten wurde, wurde am 26.08.2014 bei der Kundgebung vor dem Gerichtsgebäude in der Stadt Cao Lanh, Provinz Dong Thap 1) verhaftet. Sie nahm an einer Solidaritätskundgebung für die Dissidenten Frau Bui Thi Minh Hang, Frau Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh und Herrn Nguyen Van Minh teil. (http://www.vrnews.org/2014/08/21-vietnam-csos-three-accused-minh-hang.html)

Im Gefängnis wurde sie von einem Polizisten mit brutalen Ohrfeigen geschlagen, dass sie aus den Ohren blutete und in Ohnmacht fiel. Im Hospital der Freundschaft wurde sie trotz Kopf- und Gliederschmerzen, Erbrechen, Krämpfe, nicht behandelt. Es folgte die Verlegung in anderes Krankenhaus, die von den Freunden organisiert worden war. Am Tag der Lieferung seien alle CT-Geräte ausgefallen.

Erst am letzten Abend wurden untersucht und mit dem CT-Gerät ihr Gehirn gescannt: Hirn-Trauma, psychische Panik, niedriger Kalzium-, Blutzucker. Der Gesamtzustand war kritisch.

Die größte Sorge der Angehörigen ist, dass ihre Finanzmittel nicht ausreichen werden, die Behandlung von Frau Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lua, zu bezahlen. Ihr jüngerer Bruder Nguyen The Lu bittet Sie um Hilfe: [Weiterlesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Jailed Vietnamese Blogger Refuses to Plead For Release

28.08.2014 (RFA) - Prominent jailed Vietnamese dissident Nguyen Van Hai has refused to make an official application to the authorities seeking his release from prison, insisting instead that they explain the reasons for his initial arrest and demanding that he be freed without condition, family members said Thursday. Hai, who is also known by his pen name Dieu Cay, was handed a 12-year prison sentence in September 2012 for conducting “anti-state propaganda” amid a crackdown on bloggers in the one-party state after his online articles slammed communist rule and highlighted alleged abuses by the authorities. [read more] Vives protestations après la condamnation de trois militants des droits de l’homme

28.08.2014 (Églises d'Asie) - Le procès qui s’est tenu le 26 août 2014, au tribunal de la province de Dông Thap a attiré l’attention de l’opinion publique du pays ainsi que de plusieurs instances internationales. La raison de l’intérêt accordé à ce procès tenait sans doute à la personnalité de l’accusée principale, Mme Bui Thi Minh Hang (50 ans), jugée avec deux autres militants, Mme Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh (28 ans), une jeune militante des droits de l’homme et M. Nguyen Van Minh (34 ans), adepte du bouddhisme Hoa Hao.

Les trois militants comparaissaient devant le tribunal sous l’accusation de « troubles à l’ordre public » et « désordres sur la voie publique ». Commencé tôt dans la matinée, le procès s’est achevé à 19 heures (1). Les droits de la défense n’ont pas été respectés. Les témoins en faveur des accusés n’ont pas été appelés. Nombre de revendications des avocats ont été rejetées. Mme Bui Thi Minh Hang a été condamnée à trois ans de prison, M. Nguyen Van Minh à deux ans et demi et Mme Nguyên Thi Thuy Quynh à deux ans. [en savoir plus]

Menschenrechtsbeauftragter Strässer zur Verurteilung von drei Menschenrechtsaktivisten in Vietnam

27.08.2014 (Auswärtiges Amt) - Zur Verurteilung von drei Menschenrechtsaktivisten in Vietnam zu mehrjährigen Haftstrafen erklärte der Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Menschenrechtspolitik und humanitäre Hilfe, Christoph Strässer, heute (27.08.):

Ich bin besorgt über die mehrjährigen Haftstrafen gegen drei Menschenrechtsaktivisten wegen 'Störung der öffentlichen Ordnung'. Die drei Aktivisten sitzen nun faktisch wegen der kurzzeitigen Behinderung des Straßenverkehrs auf Jahre im Gefängnis.

Das ist vollkommen unverhältnismäßig und grotesk; es zeigt leider, dass die Menschenrechtslage in Vietnam sehr problematisch bleibt: Andersdenkende werden weiterhin unterdrückt, eingeschüchtert oder weggesperrt.

Ich fordere die vietnamesischen Behörden auf, die Haftstrafen auszusetzen und die drei Personen umgehend freizulassen. Vietnam ist Mitglied des UN-Menschenrechtsrats und hat zahlreiche UN-Menschenrechtskonventionen unterzeichnet. Daran muss es sich messen lassen.

Hintergrund:

Am 26.08.2014 wurden die Aktivisten Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh und Nguyen Van Minh zu drei Jahren, zwei Jahren und zweieinhalb Jahren Freiheitsstrafe wegen „Störung der öffentlichen Ordnung“ verurteilt. Besucher wurden von dem – an sich öffentlichen – Strafprozess ebenso ausgeschlossen wie internationale Beobachter. Die EU und ihre Mitgliedstaaten gehen von mehreren Dutzend politischen Gefangenen in Vietnam aus – die meisten sind wegen Ausübung ihrer Meinungs- und Versammlungsfreiheit inhaftiert. Nichtregierungsorganisationen stellen Vietnam hinsichtlich der Beachtung der bürgerlichen und politischen Rechte ein schlechtes Zeugnis aus. [tiếng Việt]

To please Beijing, Hanoi jails three activists on false charges

The blogger Bui Thi Minh Hang, leader of the protests against China's imperialist policies, is sentenced to three years prison. Police arrest dozens of activists outside the courtroom, then they beat them up in the barracks. The convictions coincide with a senior government officials visit to Beijing. 27.08.2014 (AsiaNews) - Hanoi - A Vietnamese court has handed down sentences ranging up to three years, at the end of a trial of three activists that lasted just one day under tight security. Several supporters who protested outside the court demanding the release of the accused were arrested. The blogger Bui Thi Minh Hang - see photo, who led protests against China's oimperialist policies in the Asia-Pacific region - the most prominent of the three on trial, was sentenced to three years. The court in the southern province of Dong Thap found her guilty of "causing public disorder." [read more]

Para complacer a Beijing, Hanói condena a tres activistas con falsas acusaciones

La blogger Bui Thi Minh Hang, líder de la protestas contra la política "imperialista" china, condenada a tres años, al finalizar un proceso durado sólo un día. La policía arresta decenas de activistas que estaban afuera del tribunal, y luego golpeados en el cuartel. Las condenas llegan en concomitancia con la visita a Beijing de un alto funcionario de Hanói.

27.08.2014 (AsiaNews) - Hanói - Un tribunal vietnamita condenó a tres activistas con penas variables hasta 3 años, al finalizar un proceso que duró sólo un día y caracterizado por importantes medidas de seguridad, entre ellas el arresto de numerosos simpatizantes de los juzgados que pedían la libertad de los imputados. La blogger Bui Thi Minh Hang - en la foto- célebre voz crítica contra China y la política "imperialista" de Beijing en la región Asia-Pacífico- la personalidad más en vista de los tres del proceso, sufrió una condena de 3 años. El tribunal de la provincia del sur de Dong Thap la reconoció culpable de "haber causado desorden público". [seguir leyendo]

US alarm as Vietnamese democracy activists jailed for 'obstructing traffic'

27.08.2014 Associated Press in Hanoi (The Guardian) - The US has expressed concern over prison terms given to three Vietnamese democracy activists for "obstructing traffic". Embassy says trio were imprisoned for expressing political views after government used public order laws to prosecut Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Nguyen Van Minh were sentenced to three years, two years and two-and-a-half years respectively on Tuesday on charges described by human rights groups as "bogus".

The three were arrested earlier this year as they rode motorbikes to visit a former political prisoner in Dong Thap province. [read more] 

Vietnamese Government’s Decision to Convict Activists Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, and Nguyen Van Minh

Statement of U.S. Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam

26.08.2014 (U.S. Embassy Hanoi) August 26, 2014 - We are deeply concerned by the Vietnamese government’s conviction and sentencing of activists Ms. Bui Thi Minh Hang, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, and Mr. Nguyen Van Minh to 3 years, 2 years and 2.5 years, respectively, in prison under Article 245, “public disorder.” The use of public disorder laws by Vietnamese authorities to imprison government critics for peacefully expressing their political views is alarming. [read more]

Wieder drei Menschenrechtsaktivisten in Vietnam verurteilt

26.08.2014 (Forum Vietnam 21) - Die Menschenrechtsaktivistin Bui, Minh-Hang, zusammen mit zwei anderen Dissidenten, Nguyen, Thi Thuy Quynh und Nguyen, Van Minh, standen heute wegen "Störung der öffentlichen Ordnung" vor dem „Volksgericht“ in der Stadt Cao-Lanh, Provinz Dong Thap im Süden Vietnams. Human Rights Watch (HRW) bezeichnete gestern in ihrer Erklärung diesen Prozess als Verleumdung und politisch motiviert. Sie forderte deshalb die sofortige Freilassung der drei Inhaftierten.

Schon einige Tage vor dem Prozess untersagten die Behörden Weggefährten der drei Aktivisten eine Teilnahme an dem „öffentlichen Prozess“. In anderen Fällen hat die Polizei durch einen Hausbesuch persönlich eine Teilnahme verboten. Vor den Häusern derjenigen, die der Anweisung der Polizei nicht folgten, stellte die Polizei Barrikaden und Wachen auf.

Mehr als hundert Unterstützer der drei Angeklagten haben es trotz massiver Behinderungen geschafft, nach Cao-Lanh zu kommen um an der öffentlichen Gerichtsverhandlung teilzunehmen und ihnen beizustehen. Aber fast alle von ihnen wurden von der örtlichen Polizei schikaniert und auf den Polizeirevieren festgehalten. Einige wurden misshandelt. Zahlreiche andere wurden in der Nacht zuvor im Hotel unter Gewaltanwendung verhaftet, verschleppt oder im Hotel eingesperrt.

Im Februar 2014 hatte Bui Thi Minh Hang mit 20 Begleitern versucht, den ehemaligen Gewissensgefangenen Nguyen Bac Truyen und seine Frau im Kreis Lap Vo zu besuchen. Tage zuvor, war die Lokalpolizei gewaltsam in deren Wohnung eingedrungen und hatte Gegenstände, darunter auch das Bild des Gründers des Hoa-Hao-Buddhismus, zerstört. Auf der Fahrt zu Nguyen Bac Truyen wurden Frau Bui und ihre Begleiter von Polizisten angehalten und zur Umkehr gezwungen. Als sie dagegen protestierten, wurden sie wegen "Widerstand gegen die Staatsgewalt" festgenommen. Das Hanoier Regime hat offensichtlich Angst vor seinen Bürgern. Die Aktivistin Bui Thi Minh Hang (Bild, mitte) wurde heute zu 3 Jahren, Nguyen Van Minh (links im Bild) und Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh (Bild, rechts) zu 2,5 bzw. 2 Jahren Gefängnis verurteilt.

Bui Thi Minh Hang, 50, stammt aus einer Hanoier Familie, deren Eltern hohe Funktionäre der Kommunistischen Partei Vietnams waren. Zwischen Juni und August 2011 nahm sie an mehreren Anti-China-Demonstrationen teil. Im November 2011 wurde sie wegen "Störung der öffentlichen Ordnung" verhaftet und stand ohne Gerichtsurteil für 24 Monate unter Verwaltungsarrest in der Erziehungsanstalt Thanh Ha in der Provinz Vinh Phuc. Wegen zahlreicher Proteste im In- und Ausland wurde sie im April 2012 auf freien Fuß gesetzt. Danach schloss sie sich der Menschenrechtsbewegung an, sie setzte sich für die Rechte der Bauern ein, die von Landraub durch Parteifunktionäre betroffen sind und deren Proteste von den Behörden einfach ignoriert werden.

Nguyen Van Minh, 34, ist ein unabhängiger Hoa-Hao-buddhistischer Aktivist, der für die Freiheit von Religion und Gewissen gekämpft hat. Seine Frau, Bui Thi Diem Thuy, ist ebenfalls eine Religionsaktivistin, deren Vater, Bui Van Trung, und Bruder, Bui Van Tham derzeit wegen „Widerstand gegen die Staatsgewalt“ Gefängnisstrafen verbüßen. Die dritte Verurteilte, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh,28, ist eine Bloggerin und Aktivistin in Saigon. (td)

Viet Nam: Police beatings outside court amid crackdown on activism

26.08.2014 (Amnesty International) - The Vietnamese authorities must stop attacks on peaceful activists, Amnesty International said today after three human rights defenders were sentenced to jail and police beat and arrested their supporters.

Women activists Bui Thi Minh Hang and Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, along with their male co-defendant Nguyen Van Minh, were handed between two and three-year jail terms on charges of "disturbing public order" at Dong Thap Provincial People's Court in Viet Nam.

Dozens of their supporters, including family members, bloggers and other civil society activists, were harassed, beaten and arrested to prevent them from attending the court hearing.

“Today’s verdict appears to be another attempt to punish peaceful activism in Viet Nam”, said Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia-Pacific Director. [read more]

Vietnam Jails Prominent Rights Activist

26.08.2014 Marianne Brown (VOA) - HANOI— A prominent rights activist in Vietnam was sentenced to three years in jail Tuesday.

Bui Thi Minh Hang is a well-known human rights activist who uses Facebook to draw attention to issues from land rights to religious and political freedom.

After a day-long trial, she was jailed for three years for disrupting public order by creating “serious obstruction to traffic.”

Two other activists also received jail time. Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Hoa Hao Buddhist Nguyen Van Minh were each sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. [read more]

Vietnam : trois militants des droits de l'Homme emprisonnés

26.08.2014 (AFP) - Trois militants ont été condamnés à des peines de prison pour "trouble à l'ordre public" au cours d'un procès tenu sous une haute sécurité mardi dans le sud du Vietnam, a annoncé leur avocat.

Bui Thi Minh Hang, 50 ans et manifestante antichinoise de premier plan, a été condamnée à trois ans d'emprisonnement par un tribunal de la province de Dong Thap dans le delta du Mékong, a précisé à l'AFP son avocat Tran Thu Nam.

Le déploiement début mai d'une plateforme pétrolière chinoise en mer de Chine méridionale a aggravé des tensions entre les deux voisins, conduisant à des émeutes antichinoises meurtrières et des manifestations contre les ambitions territoriales de Pékin au Vietnam.

Les deux autres militants des droits de l'Homme, Nguyen Van Minh, 34 ans, un praticien bouddhiste indépendant de Hoa Hao, et Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, 28 ans, ont écopé respectivement de deux ans et demi et deux ans de prison. [en savoir plus]

Vietnam Jails Activists For up to Three Years

26.08.2014 (New Delhi Television) - Hanoi: A Vietnamese court has jailed three activists for up to three years, a lawyer said Tuesday, after a one-day trial marked by strict security including the detention of scores of supporters.

Bui Thi Minh Hang, a high-profile anti-China activist and the most prominent of the three, was given a three-year jail term by the court in the southern Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap.

She was found guilty of "causing public disorder", her lawyer Tran Thu Nam told AFP.

Hang, 50, was arrested alongside the two other activists in February when they were on their way to visit a former political prisoner who lives in Dong Thap province.

Rights activist Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, 28, was jailed for two years.

Nguyen Van Minh, 34, who is an independent Hoa Hao Buddhist practitioner, received a two-and a-half year jail term. All faced the same charges. [read more]

Viet Nam: Drop trumped-up charges against human rights defenders Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Nguyen Van Minh

Joint press release

25.08.2014 (Observatory & Vietnam Committee on Human Rights) - PARIS-GENEVA - The Vietnamese Government must drop all charges against human rights defenders Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Nguyen Van Minh and immediately release them, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a joint programme of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture - OMCT) together with the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR) said today.

On August 26, 2014 at 7:30 am, Ms. Bui Thi Minh Hang, 50, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, 28, and Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, 34, will appear at the Dong Thap Provincial People’s Court. They are currently detained in An Binh Commune, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province. The three are charged under Article 245, paragraph 2, of the Criminal Code for “causing public disorder”. If convicted, they face between two and seven years in prison. [read more]

Vietnam : Abandonnez les charges contre les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh et Nguyen Van Minh

Communiqué de presse conjoint

25.08.2014 (Observatoire & Comité Vietnam) - PARIS-GENÈVE - Le gouvernement vietnamien doit abandonner toutes les charges contre les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh et Nguyen Van Minh, et les libérer immédiatement, ont dit aujourd’hui l’Observatoire pour la Protection des Défenseurs des Droits de l’Homme (programme conjoint de la FIDH et de l’Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT)) et le Comité Vietnam pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme (CVDDH).

Le 26 août 2014, à 7h30 du matin, Mme Bui Thi Minh Hang (50 ans), Mme Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh (28 ans) et M. Nguyen Van Minh (34 ans) doivent comparaître devant le Tribunal populaire provincial de Dong Thap. Ils sont actuellement détenus dans la commune de An Binh, ville de Cao Lanh, province de Dong Thap. Tous trois sont poursuivis sur la base de l’article 245 paragraphe 2 du Code pénal pour « trouble à l’ordre public ». Ils risquent de deux à sept ans d’emprisonnement. [en savoir plus]

Vietnam: Activists Face Trial on Bogus Traffic Offense

Latest Effort to Silence and Punish Rights Campaigners

24.08.2014 (HRW) - (Bangkok) – Vietnamese authorities should drop politically motivated charges against three activists and immediately release them, Human Rights Watch said today.

On August 26, 2014, the People’s Court of Dong Thap province is scheduled to hear the case of Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, and Nguyen Van Minh, who were arrested in February 2014 and charged with “causing public disorder” by creating “serious obstruction to traffic.” Under article 245 of Vietnam’s penal code, they face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

“The Vietnamese government is now resorting to bogus traffic offenses to criminally prosecute activists,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director. “The authorities should recognize this case is not worth the international ridicule it will cause and drop the charges immediately.” [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

21 Vietnam CSOs: Three accused Minh Hang, Van Minh and Thuy Quynh must be released immediately and unconditionally 21.08.2014 (VRNs) - Saigon -  Joint statement of Vietnam CSOs on the coming trial of Bui Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Nguyen Van Minh Pursuant to Document No. 69/2014 / HSST-QD, signed by the judge Bui Phuoc Loc on July 28, 2014, about "bringing into court under the charge of “disturbing public order " Paragraph 2, Article 245 of the Penal Code, the trial of Bui Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Nguyen Van Minh is scheduled to open on Aug 26, 2014 at 7:30 AM in the People's court of Dong Thap province. All 3 people have been detained since Feb 11, 2014 in Lap Vo District police station (Dong Thap province), then they were transferred to Dong Thap provincial detention center (An Binh commune, Cao Lanh city). I/. We, the civil society organizations have the same view that: 1. The incident took place on a communal rural road of the bridge Nong Trai, My An Hung Commune, Lap Vo district, Dong Thap province on Feb 11, 2014 when 21 friends of Nguyen Bac Truyen and his wife were on the way to visit them. Truyen and his wife had been attacked some days earlier. All 21 people were suddenly stopped, been asked ID papers, provoked and then attacked by hundred policemen in uniform and plainclothes and thugs. The attackers used sticks, clubs to hit them badly regardless woman or man while many others videoed. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: Police Reforms Fall Short - Door Opens for Future Accountability, Closes for Lawyers

20.08.2014 (HRW) - (New York) – New Vietnamese government regulations on police investigations improve on past rules but fall well short of the deep reforms needed to curb widespread police abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.

The Ministry of Public Security’s new Circular 28 entitled “Regulating the Conduct of Criminal Investigations by the People’s Public Security” will go into effect on August 25, 2014, and supplement existing regulations.

“Abuses by Vietnam’s police have grown rampant in recent years because the government has failed to rein in officials who violate rights,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director. “If there is political will to seriously enforce them, then these new police regulations could start a process of ensuring police abuses are investigated and prosecuted.” [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Zwangsheirat - Vietnamesische Frauen werden in China zur Handelsware

19.08.2014 (Die Zeit) - In China und Vietnam sind Heiratsagenturen offiziell verboten. Trotzdem ist der Brauthandel mit jungen Vietnamesinnen in China weit verbreitet. Videobericht [Weiterlesen]

Vietnam's Inter-Religious Council: Appreciation and Recommendations

14.08.2014 (VRNs) - Saigon - "After talking of the registry matter, you had expressed concern whether a religious community which cannot be registered is considered as a legal entity. We can tell you that: although some religious communities have registered and the state allows them to operate, but in reality, neither a religion nor a religious organisation in Vietnam has legal personality at all! This, it’s Mr Pham Dung, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Chief of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, on 3rd December 2013 stated: "At present, the issue of "human" and "legal" of the religious organisations is unclear. The religious organisations are recognised, registered for activities, but have no legal rights, such as associations, non-governmental organisations ..."

This is a deliberate attempt to delay made by the government to make it difficult for the church, especially the independent religious communities, in order to keep them in the fully bound begging-giving mechanism and live in a survival state, unable to thrive" [read more]

Son of Jailed Vietnamese Blogger Appeals For Justice for His Mom

14.08.2014 (RFA) - The son of jailed prominent Vietnamese blogger Bui Thi Minh Hang, in the United States to highlight his mother’s plight, has appealed to the international community to help find justice for her as she prepares to face a trial in two weeks on public order charges.

Tran Bui Trung, 23, said that Hang’s case seemed to have “already been determined” by the one-party communist administration in Hanoi and called on foreign governments and rights groups to push for the release of his mother and other Vietnamese activists targeted for expressing dissent.

“The main thing that I can do is to proclaim my mother’s innocence and to call out to the rest of the world, wherever I believe there are people who can help my mother,” he told RFA’s Vietnamese Service in an interview in Washington. [read more]

Un grupo de periodistas vietnamitas se planta ante el régimen comunista

11.08.2014 Eric San Juan (Univision) - Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) (EFE).- Un grupo de periodistas vietnamitas se ha plantado ante la omnipresente tutela del régimen comunista, que gobierna Vietnam, con la creación de la primera asociación de prensa y el primer diario independientes.

"En Vietnam, hay más de 800 periódicos, pero todos están controlados por el Gobierno y pasan por alto los problemas sociales y económicos, especialmente los casos de corrupción", explica a Efe el presidente de la nueva Asociación de Periodistas Independientes de Vietnam, Pham Chi Dung. [seguir leyendo]

Vietnamese Activist Detained, Questioned After UN Meeting – Reports

08.08.2014 (RIA Novosti) - MOSCOW. Vietnamese activist Pham Le Vuong Cac was held by authorities upon his arrival in Ho Chi Minh City after a UN meeting in Geneva, Radio Free Asia reported, citing a statement by the delegation that represented Vietnamese civil society at the talks.

“On August 1, 2014, one of our members, Pham Le Vuong Cac – a [Ho Chi Minh City]-based human rights defender – was detained and questioned at Tan Son Nhat International Airport by the security police upon his return to Vietnam,” the delegation said in a the statement, voicing concerns that other Vietnamese delegation members could also be punished. [read more]

Vietnam: les religions en danger

08.08.2014 Samuel Chalom (L'Express) - Heiner Bielefeldt, rapporteur spécial de l'ONU sur la liberté de religion, a accusé le Vietnam de "graves violations" de la liberté religieuse.

"Il existe des violations graves de la liberté religieuse dans ce pays" a déclaré Heiner Bielefeldt après une visite de 10 jours au Vietnam, émaillée par de nombreux contrôles de la police et des agents de sécurité vietnamiens, l'empêchant de rencontrer certains de ses interlocuteurs.

Durant son séjour, des témoins ont confié avoir subi "des convocations répétées par la police, du harcèlement, des assignations à résidence, des emprisonnements, des destructions de lieux de culte, du vandalisme et des passages à tabac". Heiner Bielefedt note toutefois que "l'espace pour la pratique religieuse a été élargi, avec précaution". [en savoir plus]

Le Rapporteur spécial de l’ONU dénonce la surveillance des autorités durant son enquête sur la liberté religieuse

08.08.2014 (Églises d'Asie) - Le 31 juillet dernier, le Rapporteur spécial des Nations Unies, Heiner Bielefeldt, achevait un voyage d'enquête de 11 jours au Vietnam portant sur la situation de la liberté religieuse dans ce pays.

Il a fait part de ses premières conclusions dans une conférence de presse tenue à Hanoi peu avant son retour aux États-Unis.

Les premiers jours du voyage du Rapporteur spécial ont été consacrés à des rencontres avec les représentants de certaines autorités civiles concernées par la question religieuse. Le Rapporteur de l’ONU et son équipe ont entendu les exposés et les explications de hauts responsables des ministères de la Justice et de l'Education nationale. Ils ont aussi honoré un certain nombre de rendez-vous avec des membres du Bureau gouvernemental des Affaires religieuses ainsi que des représentants du Comité d'union des catholiques -, une association dépendante, non de l'Église catholique mais du Front patriotique-. Toutes ces rencontres ont été mentionnées par la presse officielle. Par contre cette dernière est restée très discrète sur les rencontres du Rapporteur et de son équipe avec les représentants des religions et des communautés religieuses qui n'acceptent pas le patronage du gouvernement vietnamien. [en savoir plus]

EU-Vietnam: FIDH and VCHR submit a Complaint to EU Ombudsperson

07.08.2014 (FIDH) - In a complaint filed today, FIDH and its member organisation VCHR requested that the EU Ombudsperson address the European Commission’s refusal to take human rights into account in negotiations for trade and investment agreements with Vietnam.

Negotiations on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement are taking place against a backdrop of intensifying repression in Vietnam. In a fierce crackdown on freedom of expression, Vietnam prosecuted and imprisoned at least 65 bloggers and activists in 2013, and at least 14 more have been arrested in the first half of 2014. Scores of civil society activists were brutally beaten for staging peaceful demonstrations or holding human rights debates. Hundreds of dispossessed farmers were wounded and several others killed in massive protests over forced eviction and land confiscation. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam Rights Activist Held Upon Return Home From UN Talks

07.08.2014 By Joshua Lipes (RFA) - Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City held activist Pham Le Vuong Cac for 24 hours and subjected him to “torture” upon his return from a U.N. meeting in Geneva which he had attended to voice concerns over Vietnam’s failure to implement pledges made to improve the country’s rights record.

Blogger Cac was part of a delegation which attended the talks on Vietnam’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR)—a process each U.N. member country undergoes every four years.

The delegation said in a statement that aside from Cac, who was detained by security police shortly after his flight landed in Vietnam’s largest city, other team members could also be punished for speaking up for greater human rights in the one-party communist state. [read more]

Vietnam's 'online army'

04.08.2014 (BBC) - A string of Vietnamese activists have had their Facebook accounts suspended, and claim to have been targeted by an 'online army' sponsored by the government.

When David Nguyen - a human rights lawyer - tried to log in to the site, he found his account had been blocked. He was faced with a message from Facebook which said he was suspected of posting fraudulent personal information. He wasn't the only one. At least 100 users - mostly pro-democracy and human rights campaigners - have faced similar treatment, according to Viet Tan, a political group who oppose the communist government.

Although the blocks have been implemented by Facebook, it isn't the site itself that's to blame. Nguyen says he, and many like him, have been targeted by a rival team of site members - or "opinion shapers" - organised and paid by the government. [read more]

UN expert: Vietnam 'failing to respect' freedom of belief

Although religious freedom is guaranteed in Vietnam's Constitution, unregistered religious communities are often stigmatized as endangering "the social order," UN special Rapporteur Heiner Bielefeldt tells DW.

04.08.2014 Srinivas Mazumdaru (DW) - UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, was recently on a 10-day visit to the country which he says was interrupted by surveillance as well as harassment and intimidation of interlocutors. In a DW interview, the independent expert says that while the Vietnamese government has cautiously expanded the space for freedom of religion or belief, those communities that fail to comply with regulations face enormous difficulties when trying to at least establish some minimal forms of community life.

DW: How would you describe the current situation in Vietnam in terms of freedom of religion or belief?

Heiner Bielefeldt: Religious practice is possible in Vietnam, but only within the confines of a rather restrictive legal framework. On the one hand, a broad variety of religious communities exist. Religious life is visible in urban and rural areas, and this includes pagodas, temples and other architectural symbols. On the other hand, religious communities have to undergo cumbersome registrations processes in order to be able to operate, and they are required to submit annual plans of their activities to the local authorities. [read more]

Engaging Vietnam on Human Rights

01.08.2014 By Helen Clark (The Diplomat) - Australia and the US have very different approaches to engaging with Vietnam on its human rights record. When human rights in Vietnam are discussed in the international community it is invariably the nation’s track record on freedom of speech, or lack thereof, which takes precedence. The communist nation is regularly excoriated for its human rights track record, by which critics usually mean the locking up of bloggers, but the issues that so concern many of those same bloggers – corruption, police brutality, and workers’ rights, among others – are often all but absent from the majority of discussions about human rights, at least publicly. ...

Most recently 60 high-level members of the Communist Party urged leaders to “escape” China’s political and economic influence. In a letter, they claimed that the Party had led Vietnam “the wrong way” through its one-party system and lack of free speech. This may have also helped foster systemic corruption.

Vietnam, of course, believes in human rights, as long as those rights don’t threaten the state or the Communist Party. The nation is currently midway through its session on the United Nations Human Rights Council and just made a point of calling for a ceasefire in Gaza after the number of civilian casualties surged. When human rights violations occur abroad, Hanoi is interested. Inside the country, however, interest continues to be piecemeal. [read more]

Vietnam Abusing Facebook Reporting Tools To Stifle Dissent

01.08.2014 By Timothy Geigner (Techdirt) - It's funny how strong-arming governments, theoretically able to bypass the red-tape that makes republics and democracies so slow-moving, just can't produce that kind of nimble posture when walking back their attempts to thought-control the internet. Time and again, we find examples of governments taking Orwellian measures against their own people on internet sites and social media networks, finding them to be far less useful than they'd thought, and then merely inching away from those attempts rather than outright reversing them. Ukraine recently served as an example of this, when they attempted to track and creep-out protesters via text messages and police action, before then walking back the text message portion and then finally succumbing to regime-changing revolution.

Vietnam appears to be in the process of learning the same lesson. The country that likes to style themselves a free society apparently employs so-called "opinion shapers" in their government ranks. Those folks' job is to scour the 25 million Vietnamese Facebook users to find anyone critical of the government and then report their accounts to Facebook, which appears to be complying by shutting down the accounts. This, by the way, is the scaled back version of the government interference. [read more]

Vietnam: UN-Berichterstatter rügt “schwere Verstöße gegen die Religionsfreiheit”

01.08.2014 Autor: Felizitas Küble (Christliches Forum) - “Schwere Verstöße gegen die Religions- und Glaubensfreiheit sind in Vietnam eine weit verbreitete Realität”, erklärte Heiner Bielefeldt, Sonderberichterstatter für Religionsfreiheit des UN-Menschenrechtsrats, am Rande eines offiziellen Besuchs in Vietnam, der am heutigen 1. August zu Ende geht.

Wie “Christian Solidarity Worldwide” (CSW) mitteilt, wurden im Vorfeld der geplanten Besuche in den Provinzen An Giang, Gia Lai und Kon Tum engagierte Religionsvertreter und Menschenrechtsaktive, die den UN-Berichterstatter treffen wollten, „eingeschüchtert, belästigt und von der Polizei aufgehalten”. [Weiterlesen]

UN OHCHR - Press Statement on the visit to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

31.07.2014 (UN OHCHR) - In my capacity as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, I was invited by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to conduct a country visit from 21 to 31 July 2014. ...

The planned visits to An Giang, Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces were unfortunately interrupted from 28 to 30 July. I received credible information that some individuals whom I wanted to meet with had been either under heavy surveillance, warned, intimidated, harassed or prevented from travelling by the police. Even those who successfully met with me were not free from a certain degree of police surveillance or questioning. Moreover, I was closely monitored of my whereabouts by undeclared “security or police agents”, while the privacy and confidentiality of some meetings could have been compromised. All these incidents are in clear violation of the terms of reference of any country visit. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Violations de la liberté religieuse au Vietnam

31.07.2014 (Le Figaro) - Un envoyé de l'ONU a accusé aujourd'hui le Vietnam de "graves violations" de la liberté religieuse, malgré un assouplissement du strict contrôle du régime communiste dans le domaine religieux. Le rapporteur spécial de l'ONU sur la liberté de religion, Heiner Bielefeldt, a regretté que sa visite de 10 jours ait été "malheureusement" perturbée par la police et des agents de sécurité qui l'ont "étroitement surveillé", ce qui l'a empêché de parler librement à certaines personnes. "Il existe des violations graves de la liberté religieuse dans ce pays", a-t-il déclaré, notant qu'il n'avait toutefois pas pu faire un examen exhaustif des cas individuels.

Des témoins lui ont parlé de "violations concrètes", notamment "des convocations répétées par la police, du harcèlement, des assignations à résidence, des emprisonnements, des destructions de lieux de culte, du vandalisme et des passages à tabac". Heiner Bielefeldt a toutefois également salué des développements positifs, notant que "l'espace pour la pratique (religieuse) a été élargi, avec précaution". [en savoir plus] - [tiếng Việt]

UN official: Vietnam violates religious freedom

31.07.2014 (Yahoo News) - HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — A U.N. official who went to Vietnam to assess religious freedom there said Thursday that security agents closely monitored his visit and people he wanted to meet were harassed and intimidated.

Heiner Bielefeldt, the U.N. special rapporteur, told journalists he concluded that serious violations of religious freedom existed, while noting some improvements.

Planned visits to three provinces were interrupted, Bielefeldt said. "I received credible information that some individuals whom I wanted to meet with had been either under heavy surveillance, warned, intimidated, harassed or prevented from travelling by the police," he said.

"I was closely monitored of my whereabouts by undeclared "security and police agents" while the privacy and confidentiality of some meetings could have been compromised. All these incidents are in clear violation of the terms of reference of any country visit," he said of his 11-day, fact-finding mission. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

U.N. religion expert concerned over 'interrupted' Vietnam visit

31.07.2014 By Martin Petty, HANOI (Reuters) - A U.N. expert expressed worry on Thursday over "serious violations" of religious freedom in Vietnam following a fact-finding mission he said was interrupted by surveillance, harassment and intimidation.

Heiner Bielefeldt, U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, said parts of his trip were hampered by interference by unidentified agents, with people he met followed or questioned and others warned or blocked from seeing him.

Religion remains under state supervision in mainly Buddhist Vietnam, which has long been accused of suppressing freedom of worship by groups and individuals with faiths not registered or recognised by the communist country's rulers. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam Blocks Activists From Attending Foreign Media Seminar

30.07.2014 (RFA) - Authorities in Vietnam on Wednesday prevented several dissident bloggers and activists from attending a social media conference held at the Australian Embassy in the capital Hanoi, according to a former prisoner who was among those blocked.

The Australian Foreign Ministry had invited an equal number of civil society and government representatives to attend Wednesday’s seminar on “Modern Non-State Media in Vietnam,”—the first by Australia to include participants from both sides, said Nguyen Van Dai, of the Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience group.

“Recently, the Australian Embassy sent out many invitations, including to Pham Ba Hai from the Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience as well as to three members of the Brotherhood for Democracy,” said Dai, who is also the founder of the Brotherhood. [read more]

Vietnam Puts Dissidents Under House Arrest Amid UN Envoy's Visit

25.07.2014 (VOA) - Vietnam's authoritarian government on Friday placed an unknown number of dissidents in its largest city under virtual house arrest or closely monitored their movements in an apparent attempt to prevent them from meeting with a visiting U.N. envoy on human rights, dissidents said.

Some of the dissidents said they were prevented from leaving their homes in Ho Chi Minh city, while others said they were harassed or threatened by government security agents when they went out to do their daily chores.

Amid reports that Bielefeldt was traveling to Ho Chi Minh city on Friday, police set up checkpoints a day earlier near the residence of prominent dissident Nguyen Dan Que, who had spoken out on the need for democracy and human rights accountability in Vietnam. [read more]

Australia: Press Vietnam to Respect Rights

Bilateral Dialogue Planned for July 28 in Hanoi

24.07.2014 (HRW) - (Sydney) – Australia should use the upcoming Australia-Vietnam human rights dialogue to press the Vietnamese government to make concrete and measurable improvements in its abysmal human rights record. These include promptly releasing all political prisoners and ending restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, association, and religion.

The 11th rights dialogue between the two countries is the first with the government of Prime Minister Tony Abbott. It is scheduled to take place in Hanoi on July 28, with side events on July 29 and 30, 2014. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Media Censorship in Vietnam

24.07.2014 Written by Pham Doan Trang (Asia Sentinel) - Despite suppression by extrajudicial punishment, social media continue to grow Although The Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications says media agencies are steadily increasing, the hidden fact is that all of these media outlets are controlled by the government in various forms. But they are fighting a losing battle against hundreds of people who are using social media to defy authority.

In addition to alternative media, growing numbers are now turning to their Facebook pages or blogs as a medium to voice their opinions in defiance of all political repressions. While the Vietnamese government may not loosen its grip on mainstream media in the near term, it can hardly quell the growing voices of disaffection on the Internet. [read more]

UN religion expert meets Vietnam government Special rapporteur to address laws that limit freedom of belief

22.07.2014 Mike MacLachlan, London (UCANews) - The United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, is meeting Vietnamese government officials this week to draw up a report for the UN’s human rights council. Bielefeldt’s mandate during the trip, which takes place July 21-31, is to learn more about the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief in Vietnam, and obstacles to this fundamental right. In addition to meeting officials, Bielefeldt will also see representatives of religious communities, civil society organizations and UN workers. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

The government treats a sick detainee’s medical records like a state secret

16.07.2014 Dr. T.K. Tran, MRVN (Defend the Defenders) - A patient’s medical records were treated as if they were a state secret

After his diagnosis, government agencies kept Mr. Dinh and his family in the dark about his illness. The family’s request for the medical records was rejected by the prison administration on the ground that they were not responsible for tracking a prisoner’s medical status but the hospital where the patient has been being treated (2). The family’s request was also denied by the hospital on the ground that they could not release the records without approval of the Ministry of Public Security. Unfortunately, the Ministry did not respond to the family’s request. The situation has not changed until now. Mr. Dinh’s medical records are still treated like a state secret. The European and American embassies in Hanoi have sent letters criticizing the Vietnamese government on this issue (3).

This article is an attempt to present the events surrounding Mr. Dinh’s illness in spite of the lack of official records. We relied on information provided by Mr. Dinh’s family, including information that the family had already made public and new information from private sources. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Why TPP Should Be A Nonstarter

15.07.2014 Đoan Trang (phamdoantrang.com) - As negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement continue, several members of the U.S. Congress held a press conference on July 9 on the steps of the Capitol, setting forth numerous objections to the Obama administration’s approach to the TPP.

In addition to opposing the President’s fast track authority, the members of the House of Representatives (Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), George Miller (D-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) and Donna Edwards (D-MD) also demanded that TPP addresses trade imbalances and upholds standards of food safety, workers’ rights and LGBT and women’s rights.

Below is the full text of my address. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Verband unabhängiger Journalisten Vietnams gegründet

12.07.2014 (Forum Vietnam 21) - Forum Vietnam 21 begrüßt die Gründung des ersten Verbands unabhängiger Journalisten in Vietnam. In einer Versammlung in Saigon wurde der Verband IJAVN (Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam) am 04.07.2014 gegründet. Der bekannte Journalist Pham Chi Dung, 48, wurde zum Vorsitzenden des IJAVN gewählt. Einer seiner drei Stellvertreter, Pater Anton Le Ngoc Thanh, für die Webseite Vietnamese Redemptorists' News verantwortlich, gehört zu den 100 "Informationshelden" der Organisation „Reporter ohne Grenzen“. Der IJAVN setzt sich für die Freilassung seiner inhaftierter Kollegen. Mit Sitz in Saigon (Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt) plant der IJAVN Seminare zu organisieren, junge Reporter auszubilden, mit NGOs zusammenzuarbeiten und Online-Nachrichten zu betreiben.

Bereits in der ersten Woche nach der Gründung hat IJAVN Facebook- und Webseite mit Beiträgen unabhängiger Journalisten und Blogger gestartet. [Weiterlesen]

Asean political-security community challenges

12.07.2014 By Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid (The Star) - THE People’s Asean would not be a reality if the politics is not right – both the domestic political systems in which the people live and the wider regional order that underpins the peace, stability and prosperity of their lives.

As Asean member states are increasingly discovering, the previous contention that economic growth and benefit will satisfy citizens without need to be over-excited about political rights, is wearing thin. That model does not work any more, if it ever did. Certainly, if nothing else, the ICT revolution and social media have provided a shared marketplace of experiences in political societies across the globe. It is no longer possible to pull the wool over people’s eyes. So state authorities have to get smart to it, whatever political system they profess. [read more]

The False Promise of an International Business and Human Rights Treaty

10.07.2014 Aaron Rhodes (The Huffington Post) - Child labor is a scourge that tragically robs children of their childhood, their health, and their future. It is a global problem, and one that requires international cooperation to pressure governments to institute economic reforms and impose and enforce sound labor standards. In many cases, national laws protecting children need to be strengthened. Transnational or other corporations that exploit children need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also punished by consumers.

Unfortunately, some of the states with the world's worst child labor records are promoting promulgation of a new UN business and human rights treaty that, while unlikely to have any impact on victims, will obscure their own corruption and irresponsibility in a fog of anti-free enterprise rhetoric. Given the tendency of abusive states to foster meaningless global human rights legislation and institutions, it can be assumed their support is part of a strategy of obfuscation. [read more]

The danger that is Article 258

10.07.2014 Trịnh Hữu Long - Phạm Đoan Trang (phamdoantrang.com) - The recent arrest of the Basam web site founder highlights how one penal code provision, Article 258, can be stretched by the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam to take away anyone’s freedom at any time for doing anything that’s not state-sanctioned.

Article 258 is entitled “Abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens.” On its face, Article 258 is already an anomaly, as any attempt to criminalize the vague and ambiguous “abuse” of freedom will, almost by definition, wipe out such freedoms.

Article 258 has been used to prosecute a wide variety of people for allegedly “abusing” their freedom of speech or religion. [read more]

US criticises SE Asia on rights

10.07.2014 (Bangkok Post) - WASHINGTON — Lawmakers reviewed the “troubling” state of human rights in Southeast Asia Wednesday and criticised Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. But they reserved some of their toughest words for Myanmar, demanding an end to United States concessions to its quasi-civilian government.

The Republican party chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce, likened conditions faced by minority Muslims in western Myanmar to concentration camps. A Democratic party lawmaker questioned whether there were signs of genocide.

The hearing indicated congressional goodwill toward Myanmar's government has been exhausted, and criticism of the Obama administration's forward-leaning engagement policy has intensified. [read more]

Light through the night

10.07.2014 Anthony Le Ngoc Thanh, CSsR (VRNs) - Sai Gon - “I’m done, but what’s going on with my brothers in jail?”, Huynh Anh Tri asked us while he knew he had contracted HIV. May 28th 2014 - the day that I never forget.

Huynh Anh Tri was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, in 1971. In the early of 1990s, Mr Tri and his family emigrated to Thailand. In 1999, he became a member of the Foundation for Free Vietnam in Bangkok whose principles were to protest against the dictatorship of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

In December 1999, Huynh Anh Tri and his older brother, Huynh Anh Tu (born in 1968) were arrested in Saigon. Both of them got the same sentence of 14 years in jail due to their “terrorist” crimes under Article 79 of Vietnamese Penal Code. [read more]

RWB hails creation of Vietnam’s first independent journalists association

07.07.2014 (Reporters Without Borders) - With many members, including well known journalists, it intends to defend detained colleagues, train young reporters and operate a news website

Reporters Without Borders hails the creation of the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam (IJAVN), the country’s first such organization. Its launch on 4 July in Ho Chi Minh City saw the biggest-ever gathering of journalists to promote freely reported and politically independent information. Well-known journalists are IJAVN members. Its president, Pham Chi Dung, and one of its vice-presidents, Le Ngoc Thanh, are Reporters Without Borders “Information Heroes.” The number of members has already risen from 42 on 4 July to 64 today. [read more]

RSF salue la création de la première association de journalistes indépendants vietnamienne

07.07.2014 (Reporters sans frontières) - Une association de journaliste a été créée à Ho-Chi-Minh-Ville le 4 juillet 2014. C’est la première fois qu’un si grand nombre de journalistes se réunissent publiquement afin de promouvoir le principe d”’une information libre et indépendante de toute volonté politique”.

Reporters sans frontières salue la création de la première association de journalistes indépendants vietnamienne. Lancée le 4 juillet 2014, l’Association des journalistes indépendants du Vietnam (Vietnam’s Independent Journalists Association, IJAVN) regroupe en son sein de célèbres professionnels de l’information. Le président de l’association, Pham Chi Dung, et un de ses vice-présidents, Le Ngoc Thanh, ont été désignés comme Héros de l’Information par Reporters sans frontières. Trois jours après son lancement, l’association est passée de 42 à 64 adhérents. [en savoir plus]

Menschenrechtsausschuss begrüßt Freilassung vietnamesischer Menschenrechtsaktivistin Do Thi Minh Hanh - Einsatz von „Parlamentarier schützen Parlamentarier“

04.07.2014 Deutscher Bundestag - Der Vorsitzende des Ausschusses für Menschenrechte und humanitäre Hilfe, Michael Brand MdB, begrüßt die „überfällige“ Freilassung der vietnamesischen Menschenrechtsaktivistin Do Thi Minh Hanh.

Brand zeigte sich als Pate im Rahmen des Programms Parlamentarier schützen Parlamentarier für Frau Do Thi Minh Hanh „erleichtert und erfreut“ und hob den Einsatz seines Ausschusskollegen Frank Heinrich MdB hervor, der die Menschenrechtsaktivistin im Gefängnis besucht hatte.

Die Gewerkschafterin war immer wieder für soziale und politische Gerechtigkeit eingetreten. Im Oktober 2010 war sie mit zwei weiteren Aktivisten verhaftet und zu 7 Jahren Haft verurteilt worden.

Leider gebe Vietnam weiter „Anlass zur Sorge“, bedauerte Brand: „Wir stehen als Ausschuss und als Parlament an der Seite der politischen Gefangenen, die wegen mangelnder Meinungsfreiheit und demokratischer Strukturen verfolgt werden“.

So hat der Abgeordnete Dr. Philipp Lengsfeld im Rahmen des Programms Parlamentarier schützen Parlamentarier die Patenschaft für den ebenfalls inhaftierten vietnamesischen Anwalt und Blogger Le Quoc Quan übernommen. Ziel ist auch hier eine rasche Freilassung.

Vietnam wehrt sich gegen Verschleppung von Frauen nach China (Video)

03.07.2014 (Zeit Online) - Junge Frauen aus Vietnam werden zunehmend an chinesische Männer "verkauft" – eine Folge der Ein-Kind-Politik, durch die China mit einem massiven Ungleichgewicht der Geschlechter kämpft. [Weiterlesen]

Entretien avec un prêtre blogueur, « héros de l’information »

02.07.2014 (Églises d'Asie) - Le 6 mai dernier, à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse, Reporters sans frontières publiait pour la première fois une « Liste des 100 héros de l’information ». Beaucoup se sont étonnés d’y découvrir le nom du P. Antoine Lê Ngoc Thanh, religieux rédemptoriste vietnamien.

La notice qui suivait le nom du religieux dans la liste en question éclairait ce choix en décrivant la personnalité de ce prêtre et le travail qu’il accomplit en tant que responsable du site d’information des rédemptoristes vietnamiens et de la radio libre qui lui est attachée.

Une interview accordée par le religieux rédemptoriste au site Internet Vatican Insider lui a permis d’exprimer ses convictions et de replacer son travail de journaliste dans le contexte de son ministère pastoral. La version anglaise de cette interview a été publiée par Vatican Insider le 26 mai 2014. Une traduction vietnamienne a été mise en ligne sur le site des rédemptoristes vietnamiens le 2 juillet 2014. La traduction française ci-dessous a été réalisée par la rédaction d’Eglises d’Asie. [en savoir plus] - [tiếng Việt]

Activista vietnamita: De compañeros de celda, la fuerza para soportar los tormentos de la prisión

02.07.2014 (AsiaNews) - Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh City (Agencia Fides) - Do Thi Minh Hanh, joven activista vietnamita por los derechos de los trabajadores, ha sido liberado de la cárcel el 27 de junio, después de haber pasado cuatro años de los siete infligidos por el juez en el momento del juicio. La mujer fue condenada por haberse manifestado y la distribución de folletos en apoyo a los trabajadores del sector del calzado en huelga para exigir mejores condiciones de trabajo y una mayor remuneración. Durante su cautiverio a menudo ha sido objeto de golpes en las manos por los guardias de la prisión y otros prisioneros. Tras su liberación, dijo Hanh en una entrevista con Radio Free Asia (RFA) que sus compañeros de prisión, también detenidos políticos, han sido para ella una fuente de inspiración y ayuda a mantenerse fuerte durante el calvario. [seguir leyendo]

Ex-Vietnamese Political Prisoner Blames Jail Conditions for HIV Infection

02.07.2014 (RFA) - A former Vietnamese political prisoner who had served 14 years in jail says he has been tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, blaming the infection to inhumane conditions during his imprisonment, including mass sharing of shaving razor blades.

Huynh Anh Tri was released in December last year from Xuan Loc prison camp together with his brother Huynh Anh Tu after they were arrested in 1999 and convicted two years later of “terrorism” with intent to overthrow Hanoi’s one-party, communist government .

Tri acknowledged in an interview with RFA’s Vietnamese Service that he believed he contracted the deadly virus in prison, saying he was too weak to even talk. [read more]

Vietnamese activist: cellmates gave her strength to endure the torments of prison

02.07.2014 (AsiaNews) - Ho Chi Minh City - Do Thi Minh Hanh, a young Vietnamese labour activist, was released from prison on 27 June. She spent four years of a seven-year sentence in prison for demonstrating and distributing leaflets in support of footwear workers on strike for better working conditions and higher wages.

During her imprisonment, Hanh was often beaten on the hands by prison guards and other prisoners. After her release, she said in an interview with Radio Free Asia (RFA) that her fellow inmates, also political prisoners, were a source of inspiration for her and helped her remain strong throughout the ordeal. [read more]

UN Human Rights Council Reaffirms Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Online

01.07.2014 By Jillian York (EFF) - EFF is pleased by the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) reaffirming the “promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet.” The resolution — sponsored by Brazil, Tunisia, Nigeria, Turkey, Sweden, and the United States—was adopted by consensus at the twenty-sixth session of the UNHRC and supported by a total of 82 member states. Last month, EFF joined 62 civil society groups in calling on the UN to uphold fundamental rights online.

As we’ve affirmed in the 13 Principles on the Application of Human Rights to Communications Surveillance, any mass surveillance, including extra-territorially, is inherently disproportionate and a violation of human rights. The resolution addresses this by calling on States to “address security concerns on the Internet in accordance with their international human rights obligations to ensure protection of freedom of expression, freedom of association, privacy and other human rights online.” [read more]

Vietnam battles sex trafficking along China’s border

01.07.2014 (PBS) - China is like a giant magnet to neighboring Vietnam, luring workers with higher wages and transportation to other countries. But many women are taken to China involuntarily to be sold into marriage or to work in brothels. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on the human trafficking across the long land border and the efforts to stop it

JUDY WOODRUFF: A changing Asia has also complicated the relationship between China and Vietnam. They have recently battled over drilling for oil in waters claimed by both countries, and they share a long land border that has been the scene of human trafficking.

Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro has our report. A version of this story aired on the PBS program “Religion & Ethics Newsweekly.” And it’s part of his Agents for Change series.

FRED DE SAM LAZARO: The communist party flag still flies high in Vietnam. But on the ground consumerism and capitalism are thriving, at least in cities like Ho Chi Minh, the former Saigon, and the capital, Hanoi, which have grown rapidly. [read more]

Pressemitteilung von VETO! HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS‘ NETWORK - DEUTSCHE SEKTION e.V.

Gewerkschaftsaktivistin Do Thi Minh-Hanh ist frei

Bad Nauheim (30. Juni 2014) - Nach einer weltweiten Kampagne gegen ihre Inhaftierung wurde am Sonnabend in Vietnam die Gewerkschaftsaktivistin Do Thi MINH-HANH vorzeitig nach vierjähriger Haft aus dem Gefängnis entlassen. Die deutsche Organisation von VETO! Human Rights Defenders‘ Network verkündet die frohe Nachricht nach Ankunft der 29jährigen in ihrem Elternhaus. In April hat VETO! ihre Mutter zu einem Besuch nach Berlin eingeladen, wo sie mit Vertretern der Bundesregierung und des Deutschen Bundestages sprechen konnte. VETO! fordert Vietnam auf, die schwer kranke Buddhistin Mai Thi DUNG sowie zwei Mitstreiter von Frau Minh-Hanh, Nguyen Hoang Quoc HUNG und Doan Huy CHUONG, freizulassen. [Weiterlesen]

The human rights side of EU-ASEAN relations

29.06.2014 By Theodoros Benakis (NewEurope) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, most commonly known by its acronym ASEAN, is widely described as an economic union of 10 Southeast Asian countries. But it’s not only economic.

According to Rafendi Djamin, the country’s representative to the ASEAN, intergovernmental commission on human rights, there are a number of human rights elements.

In fact, there was a change in Indonesia in 2000 - starting with the fall of President Suharto in 1998 and the rise of democracy. What is more, it was Indonesia who proposed to extend ASEAN into a political and security committee. Later, it was the Philippines that tabled an idea to create a new community – one that cares and shares the social problems.

This is why ASEAN decided to transform from an association without any legally-binding basis into a group of countries that are united under a charter that outlines the principles of rule of law, good governance and respect of fundamental rights. This forms a legally-binding commitment of ASEAN. All 10 members of ASEAN ratified the chapter back in 2008. [read more]

Libération d’une jeune militante du syndicalisme indépendant

01.07.2014 (Églises d'Asie) - Peu après l’annonce, le 9 juin dernier, de la création du « Syndical libre des travailleurs vietnamiens », on apprend la libération d’une militante du syndicalisme indépendant au Vietnam, Dô Thi Minh Hanh. Elle vient de rejoindre son domicile, le 27 juin 2014, trois ans avant l’achèvement de sa peine.

En 2010, elle avait été condamnée à sept années de prison par le tribunal populaire de Tra Vinh.

Dô Thi Minh Hanh préparait une maîtrise d’économie lorsqu’elle a été arrêtée le 23 février 2010 en même temps que deux autres militants, Nguyên Hoang Quôc Hung et Doan Huy Chuong. En fait, la jeune fille, alors âgée de 26 ans, avait seulement distribué des tracts destinés à encourager des ouvriers en grève pour obtenir de meilleures conditions de travail.

Un communiqué d’Amnesty International annonçant la libération de la dissidente déclare que celle-ci n’aurait jamais dû être emprisonnée et ajoute qu’une condamnation à sept ans de prison pour avoir distribué des tracts est un acte « ridicule » et un triste témoignage de la répression exercée par les autorités contre les dissidents. [en savoir plus]

Christenverfolgung 2.0. Katholische Blogger in Vietnam

Eingangsstatement in der Radio Horeb-Sendung „Standpunkt“ zur Menschenrechtssituation in Vietnam

30.06.2014 Josef Bordat (Blog jobo72) - 1. Christenverfolgung in Vietnam. Zunächst muss man sagen, dass die derzeitige Christenverfolgung ein weltweites Phänomen ist. Vor allem in der islamischen Welt, also dort, wo der Islam die Religion der Mehrheit ist, also in Nordafrika, auf der Arabischen Halbinsel, im Nahen und Mittleren Osten, auch in Indonesien und auch in der Türkei – überall dort haben es Christen schwer. Vietnam ist nun eines der nicht vom Islam dominierten Länder, in denen Christenverfolgung besonders schlimm ist. Nicht ganz so schlimm wie in Nordkorea, wo die Verfolgung – nicht nur von Christen – seit Jahren am schlimmsten ist, aber doch zunehmend und besorgniserregend. Vor allem, weil es die gesamte Menschenrechtslage im Land betrifft...

... 5. Bei den katholischen Bloggern, von denen ich eingangs sprach, kommt nun beides zusammen: Ein Mangel an Gewissens-, Glaubens- und Religionsfreiheit sowie ein Mangel an Meinungs- und Pressefreiheit. Das ist doppelt schlimm: Sie können nicht katholisch sein und sie können keine Blogger sein. Um ihnen beides zu ermöglichen, dafür habe ich gekämpft und tue das auch weiterhin. Ich möchte mal an einigen Beispielen aufzeigen, wie in Vietnam diese elementaren Menschenrechte mit Füßen getreten werden. [Weiterlesen]

Vietnam: Release of woman labour rights activist positive but scores remain behind bars

30.06.1024 (Amnesty International) - The early release of Do Thi Minh Hanh, a woman labour activist and prisoner of conscience, in Viet Nam is a positive step but authorities must now follow up and release the scores of other peaceful activists still behind bars, Amnesty International said.

Hanh, 28, was released on 26 June by Vietnamese authorities and arrived home yesterday. She had been imprisoned for seven years in 2010 for “conducting propaganda against the state”, after handing out leaflets in support of workers demanding better pay and conditions.

“We are of course delighted that Do Thi Minh Hanh has been released, but she should never have been locked up in the first place. Sentencing someone to seven years in prison for handing out leaflets is ludicrous, and a sad indictment of the Vietnamese authorities’ long-lasting crackdown on dissent,” said Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International’s Deputy Asia Pacific Director.

“The Vietnamese authorities must now follow up and immediately and unconditionally release all others who have been jailed for peacefully exercising their human rights.” [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: inhaftierte Arbeiteraktivistin Do Thi Minh Hanh freigelassen

28.06.1024 (Forum Vietnam 21) - Do Thi Minh Hanh, 29, eine Arbeiteraktivistin in einem schlechten Gesundheitszustand ist am Donnerstag aus der Haft entlassen, nachdem sie vier Jahre von einer siebenjährigen Haftstrafe wegen Unterstützung der streikenden Arbeiter im Gefängnis sitzen musste. Es wurde kein Grund für die vorzeitige Freilassung von Do Thi Minh Hanh genannt, die im Februar 2010 zusammen mit zwei anderen Aktivisten zu hohen Gefängnisstrafen verurteilt wurde. Hanh erzähle uns, die Polizei bringe sie nach Haus, berichtete Minh Hanhs Vater Do Ty in einem Telefongespräch mit dem Radiosender RFA. Do Thi Minh Hanh wurde Februar 2010 in ihrem Heimatort Di Linh im zentralen Hochland Vietnams wegen Flugblattverteilung und angeblicher Anstiftung zum organisierten Streik der Arbeiter der Schuhfabrik My Phong in der Provinz Tra Vinh verhaftet. Am 27. Oktober 2010 wurde sie von einem Volksgericht zu 7 Jahre Haft nach Artikel 89 (Störung der öffentlichen Ordnung) des vietnamesischen Strafgesetzbuches verurteilt. In dem selben Gerichtsprozeß wurden außerdem die Arbeiteraktivisten Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung und Doan Huy Chuong zu 9 Jahre und 7 Jahre Gefängnis verurteilt.

Do Thi Minh Hanh verbracht ihre Haft in den Gefängnissen Binh Thuan in Zentralvietnam, Tra Vinh, Long An im Süden, Thanh Oai nah der Hauptstadt Hanoi im Norden und zuletzt in Dong Nai im Süden. Sie wurde wiederholt von den Gefängniswärtern geschlagen und fiel infolgedessen mehrmals in Ohnmacht.

Anfang 2014 startete Minh Hanhs Mutter Frau Tran Thi Ngoc Minh eine Reise nach Europa und in die USA um Unterstützung für die Freilassung ihrer Tochter zu suchen. Vor dem Ausschuss für Menschenrechte und Humanitäre Hilfe des deutschen Bundestages in Berlin hat Frau Tran Thi Ngoc Minh über den Gesundheitszustand ihrer Tochter und deren harte Haftbedingung berichtet.

Mehrere Menschenrechtsorganisationen und Parlamentarier in den USA, Australien, Polen und Deutschland haben Do Thi Minh Hanhs Freilassung gefordert.  [tiếng Việt]

Vietnamese Labor Activist Jailed For Backing Strikes is Freed

27.06.2014 (RFA) - Vietnamese authorities have freed a young labor activist in poor health after she had served four years of a seven-year sentence for leafleting in support of striking footwear workers, and just months after her mother had toured the U.S. and Europe to lobby for her release.

No reason was given for the early release of Do Thi Minh Hanh, who was arrested in February 2010 along with two other activists before her imprisonment eight months later during which she suffered beatings at the hands of prison guards.

“Hanh told us yesterday that the police would bring her home,” Hanh’s father Do Ty told RFA’s Vietnamese Service on Friday, speaking from his home in Di Linh in Lam Dong province in Vietnam’s central highlands.

“The call came at night, so she might be home tomorrow,” he said. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Scandale en Chine : Les hommes achètent leurs épouses au Vietnam (Vidéo)

27.06.2014 (aufeminin.com) - En Chine, les femmes sont beaucoup moins nombreuses que les hommes. Pour se marier, certains Chinois ont trouvé une solution : acheter leurs futures épouses de l’autre côté de la frontière, dans les régions défavorisées du Vietnam.

La Chine est le pays le plus peuplé au monde, et selon les chiffres de l’Institut national d’études démographiques, sa population représenterait 19% de la population mondiale avec 1,4 milliard d’individus. Cependant, depuis 1979, le pays a instauré une politique restrictive en ce qui concerne la procréation. La politique de l’enfant unique contraint les couples chinois à limiter leur nombre d’enfant à un par famille. Beaucoup de problèmes ont ainsi découlé de l’instauration de cette loi. Entre trafic d’humains et avortements forcés, les femmes sont au cœur d’un système qui les rabaisse et les contraint. [en savoir plus]

Human Rights Watch: Folter breitet sich in Asien aus

26.06.2014 (Deutsche Welle) - In vielen asiatischen Ländern wird regelmäßig gefoltert. Die Täter vor Gericht zu bringen ist jedoch schwierig - und in manchen Staaten sogar fast unmöglich, sagt Phil Robertson von Human Rights Watch im DW-Interview.

Schmerz verursachen durch Gewalt, den Willen der Menschen brechen, ihre Persönlichkeit auslöschen: Das sind nur drei Formen von Folter.

Natürlich sind auch die sehr bekannten Fälle "politischer Gefangener" in Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar oder anderen totalitären Staaten - Nordkorea ist da führend

Insbesondere dort, wo Folter staatlich sanktioniert ist, wie in Nordkorea oder Vietnam, gibt es kaum eine Chance, Täter zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen. Das Problem wird verstärkt durch die Tatsache, dass Folter vor allem in Strafvollzugssystemen stattfindet, deren Abläufe kaum zu durchschauen und die nur schwer zugänglich sind. [Weiterlesen]

HRW: Torture is an 'expanding scourge' in Asia

26.06.2014 (Deutsche Welle) - In several countries across Asia, torture is used on a regular basis. Bringing perpetrators to justice is notoriously hard, especially in nations where the practice is state-sanctioned, HRW's Phil Robertson tells DW.

Inflicting pain by using physical force, breaking people's will, trying to annihilate their personality - those are three forms of cruel treatment that fall under the definition of torture. Torture is a crime under international law.

Human Rights Watch has also found that torture regularly occurs in drug detention "treatment" centers in China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, so even in cases where persons are supposed to receive help, they get the lash or worse.

Of course, the high profile "political prisoner" cases that we often think about are certainly still an important part of the discussion in places like Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and other totalitarian states – in which, of course, North Korea leads the way. [read more]

Asean Lawmakers Blast Human Rights Commission

26.06.2014 Written by Our Correspondent (Asia Sentinel) - Commission, they say, has failed to bring any improvement whatsoever for basic rights. A group of Southeast Asian lawmakers has issued a blistering statement saying the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ human rights commission has failed to bring any discernible improvement to or provide any protection for basic rights since its inception in 2009 and must be radically changed to strengthen its independence.

Since its inception as a loosely knit talking shop in 1967, Asean has never sought to go after any of its members on their approach to human rights. Indeed, when Myanmar came into Asean in 1997, it was one of the most repressive dictatorships on the planet. The members have sought to unify the region under what was called a “the Asean Way” based on “non-interference, informality, minimal institutionalization, consultation and consensus, non-use of force and non-confrontation.” While Myanmar has been a notable success in turning towards democracy, other members such as Cambodia and Vietnam remain unrepentantly dictatorial. [read more]

Vietnam mantiene pena de cárcel contra un bloguero

26.06.2014 (ABC News) - HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Un tribunal del centro de Vietnam respaldó el jueves una condena de dos años de prisión contra un conocido bloguero disidente por escribir en Internet críticas al gobierno comunista.

Truong Duy Nhat fue condenado por "abusar de las libertades democráticas" en marzo para dañar los intereses del estado.

Su abogado, Tran Vu Hai, dijo que Nhat reiteró su inocencia durante una vista de apelación en la ciudad de Danang, en el centro del país, que duró casi dos horas. [seguir leyendo] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam Upholds 2-Year Jail Term Against Blogger

 26.06.2014  (ABC News) - AP - A court in central Vietnam has upheld a two-year jail sentence against a well-known dissident blogger for posting online criticism of the communist government.

Truong Duy Nhat was convicted of "abusing democratic freedoms" to infringe upon the interests of the state in March.

Lawyer Tran Vu Hai said Nhat maintained his innocence during the appeal hearing in central Danang City that lasted nearly two hours Thursday.

"We stressed that the 12 articles did not infringe upon the interests of the state, but instead defended the interests of the state," Hai told The AP by telephone. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Haftstrafe für kritischen Journalisten

26.06.2014 (NZZ) - (ap) Ein Journalist muss wegen kritischer Online-Kommentare in Vietnam zwei Jahre Haft verbüssen. Seine Strafe wurde am Donnerstag von einem Gericht in Danang im Zentrum des asiatischen Landes bestätigt. Dem Blogger Truong Duy Nhat wird «Missbrauch demokratischer Freiheiten» und ein Verstoss gegen die Interessen des Staates zur Last gelegt. Bei der knapp zweistündigen Anhörung vor Gericht am Donnerstag beteuerte er erneut seine Unschuld. [Weiterlesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Quand les Chinois vont acheter leur femme au Vietnam

26.06.2014 Par Lucile Quillet (Le Figaro) - La Chine manque de femmes, politique de l'enfant unique oblige. Et certains hommes n'hésiteraient pas à aller chercher des fiancées, moyenant bon prix, dans les régions pauvres de l'autre côté de la frontière. Plusieurs milliers de jeunes filles seraient victimes de ce trafic d'êtres humains.

Quand Kiab a eu 16 ans, son frère lui a proposé de l'emmener faire la fête dans une ville touristique du nord du Vietnam. Au lieu de cela, il l'a vendue comme fiancée à un Chinois. Comme bien des Laotiennes, Cambodgiennes et Vietnamiennes, cette adolescente est une victime collatérale de la politique de l'enfant unique en Chine. [en savoir plus]

Vietnam: des jeunes femmes mariées de force à des Chinois - L'actu en vidéos

26.06.2014 (L'Express) - Des femmes et jeunes filles issues des minorités ethniques au Vietnam sont amenées clandestinement de l'autre côté de la frontière et mariées de force à des Chinois. [en savoir plus]

The Vietnamese priest-blogger fighting for religious freedom

25.06.2014 Paolo Affatato (Vatican Insider) - Reporters Without Borders have included the Redemptorist Anton Ngoc Than in their list of “100 information heroes”. Vatican Insider interviews the man himself

The campaign for human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam is gaining momentum on the web. “Almost 40 million people use the internet in Vietnam. The most efficient way to awaken people’s awareness and evangelize is to create apps for smartphones and tablets – which are very popular tools – so that farmers, young people, students and workers can access information on faith and freedom with just one click.” The priest-blogger Fr. Anton Ngoc Than, who manages the Vietnamese Redemptorists’ News website and a Catholic radio station in the archdiocese of Saigon (in 1976, this southern Vietnamese city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after its capture by the Viet Cong) said this in an exclusive interview with Vatican Insider.  [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam; el sacerdote bloguero y paladín de la libertad religiosa

25.06.2014 Paolo Affatato (Vatican Insider) - El redentorista Anton Ngoc Than, que fue incluido por la Ong “Reporteros sin fronteras” entre los «100 héroes de la información», cuenta su vida.

La campaña por los derechos humanos y por la libertad religiosa en Vietnam corre por las autopistas virtuales de la red. «Casi 40 millones de personas usan internet en Vietnam. La forma más eficaz para sensibilizar las consciencias y evangelizar hoy en día es crear aplicaciones para teléfonos inteligentes y tabletas (instrumentos muy populares) de modo que campesinos, jóvenes, estudiantes, trabajadores, puedan acceder con un click a la información sobre la fe y la libertad». Es lo que contó en exclusiva a Vatican Insider el sacerdote bloguero Anton Ngoc Than, responsable del sitio de información “Vietnamese Redemptorists’ News” y de una radio católica en la arquidiócesis de Saigón, ciudad meridional de Vietnam, bautizada en 1976, después de la conquista del Viet cong, Ho Chi Minh City. [seguir leyendo] - [tiếng Việt]

Civil Society Representatives Speak at the UNHRC

24.06.2014 (Vietnam UPR) - Geneva - The Vietnamese civil delegation, representing 10 independent CSOs in Vietnam, on June 24 spoke at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Plenary Session on June 20, a first time for independent civil society.

In his speech, human rights lawyer Trinh Huu Long mentioned recent cases of suppression of voices of conscience in Vietnam, including the arrests of land activist Bui Thi Minh Hang and blogger Nguyen Huu Vinh [aka. Anh Ba Sam]. He also highlighted the government’s reprisals against activists engaged in the February UPR session of Vietnam. [read more]

Vietnamese women being trafficked for forced marriages, say rights groups

25.06.2014 By Cat Barton (The Malay Mail Online) - LAO CAI, June 25 — When Kiab turned 16, her brother promised to take her to a party in a tourist town in northern Vietnam. Instead, he sold her to a Chinese family as a bride.

The ethnic Hmong teenager spent nearly a month in China until she was able to escape her new husband, seek help from local police and return to Vietnam. “My brother is no longer a human being in my eyes — he sold his own sister to China,” Kiab, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, told AFP at a shelter for trafficking victims in the Vietnamese border town Lao Cai.

Vulnerable women in countries close to China — not only Vietnam but also North Korea, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar — are being forced into marriages in the land of the one-child policy, experts say.

China suffers from one of the worst gender imbalances in the world as families prefer male children. [read more]

Christians in Vietnam Church Center Beaten, Locked Up in Massive Raid

Authorities show brazen disregard for law, religious rights.

24.06.2014 By Our Vietnam Correspondent (Morning Star News) – Blaring police loudspeakers awoke Bible school students at a Mennonite church center in southern Vietnam at about 11 p.m. the night of June 9, a prelude to a night of violence and detention that would seriously injure 20 people.

Police called for the owner of the compound in Binh Duong Province to let them in for an “administrative search.” Five minutes later, police dropped into the compound from neighboring roofs and broke through the front gate “as if it were a raid on terrorists,” according a witness.

The crowd of police, local defense forces and plainclothes officers and “citizens” numbered from 300 to 500, according to the center’s pastor, Nguyen Manh Hung. Many of the 76 Christians present were beaten, punched and kicked before being loaded onto three trucks and hauled to a police lockup for interrogation. They were released the following morning. [read more]

Rights Advocates Criticize Vietnam on UPR Rejections

23.06.2014 Tra Mi (VOA) - Vietnam's rejection of 45 key recommendations in its U.N. human rights review has drawn criticism from activists.

Last week, Vietnam agreed to accept 182 of the 227 recommendations from its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by the Human Rights Council. Hanoi said its decision demonstrates Vietnam's seriousness, openness and determination in promoting and protecting human rights.

But critics say the decision to reject many items is sad, if not surprising.

Trinh Huu Long, a Vietnamese human rights lawyer who attended Vietnam’s UPR adoption session on Friday, told VOA's Vietnamese service the decision shows there is no change in  Hanoi’s "will, mindset and actions in human rights."  [read more]

Social media and blogging give voice to Vietnam’s citizens

23.06.2014 By Edward Barbour-Lacey (Asian Correspondent) - Throughout the world, social media has proven itself to be a tool of the powerless to hold the powerful accountable. For many people in Vietnam, social media and blogging have become key tools as they seek to help reform their country and hold their leaders to account.

Currently in Vietnam, most news sources are state run. This includes newspapers, news sites, and TV channels. The government has a firm hold on the media and works hard to formulate stories in the manner it best sees fit. But there is a growing movement online that is challenging this social order and causing much worry for the government.

The ever changing nature of the Internet makes it hard for a country like Vietnam, without the human and financial muscle of a place like China, to police its citizens fully online. As a result, for many Vietnamese, blogs and social media sites have become a key way for them to voice their thoughts and feelings about the direction their country is taking. [read more]

Blogger Josef Bordat wird in Radio Horeb über die Bloggerverfolgung in Vietnam sprechen

23.06.2014 (Forum Vietnam 21) - Vietnam ist seit Ende 2013 Mitglied des UN-Menschenrechtsrats, eines Gremiums also, das die Wahrung der Menschenrechte weltweit überwachen soll. In der diesjährigen Überprüfung der Menschenrechtsbilanz (UN Universal Periodic Review) in Genf erhielt Vietnam von 106 internationalen Delegationen 227 Empfehlungen. In der Anzahl der Empfehlungen ist Vietnam nur von Nordkorea übertroffen. Am 20.06.2014 hat Vietnam in der 26.Sitzung der UPR in Genf 45 der 227 Empfehlungen abgelehnt. Die Ablehnung Hanois spiegelt die miserable Lage der Menschenrechte in Vietnam wider, wo Religionsfreiheit, Meinungs- und Pressefreiheit nicht existieren dürfen. Seit 2013 sollen zwischen 38 und 50 Blogger und Menschenrechtsaktivisten verhaftet und verurteilt worden sein. Nicht ohne Grund wird Vietnam deshalb auch von „Reporter ohne Grenzen“ als einer von fünf internetfeindlichen Staaten bezeichnet.

Der Blogger Josef Bordat (http://jobo72.wordpress.com, Bild rechts aus kathpedia) begleitet seit Anfang 2013 die Menschenrechtssituation in Vietnam publizistisch (wir berichteten). Im Fokus steht für ihn dabei die Lage der Christen. Er war Initiator einer Petition an den Deutschen Bundestag für die Freilassung inhaftierter Blogger in Vietnam. In der Sendung „Standpunkt“ von Radio Horeb am Sonntag, den 29.06.2014 um 20:00 Uhr wird Dr. Josef Bordat über "Christenverfolgung 2.0. Katholische Blogger in Vietnam" sprechen. Das Programm wird digital über Kabel und Satellit deutschlandweit ausgestrahlt, ist in München auch über UKW 92,4 empfangbar. [tiếng Việt]

Child workers in Vietnam face further exploitation

23.06.2014 Monash University (Phys.org) - Vietnamese children as young as 11 are working for up to 18 hours a day in harsh and abusive conditions, often unpaid and denied communication with their families, a study shows.

The study, led by Professor Susan Kneebone of Monash University's Castan Centre for Human Rights law in collaboration with the children's foundation Blue Dragon, looks at the causes and consequences of child labour migration in Vietnam.

Child labour is an accepted concept in many rural Vietnamese communities. It helps supplement family income, and many parents also believe it could further their children's life chances and experiences. [read more]

Vietnam rejects key UN recommendations to improve human rights at adoption of Universal Periodic Review

20.06.2014 (Vietnam Committee on Human Rights) GENEVA – At the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today, Vietnam rejected 45 key recommendations made by member states to improve human rights protection and uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens in Vietnam. The Council was examining the Working Group’s report on Vietnam’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) held on 5 February 2014. Vietnam was given until this current session to inform the Human Rights Council which recommendations it will accept or reject for the next four years.

“Vietnam is second only to North Korea in the number of recommendations made by UN member states at its UPR”, said Vo Van Ai, VCHR President. “Out of 227 concrete recommendations, Vietnam accepted only the most general ones, whilst rejecting 45 concrete, positive steps which would have helped significantly to protect its citizens’ fundamental freedoms and rights”. [read more]

Vietnam breaks up anti-China demonstration

20.06.2014 (asiaone) - HANOI: Vietnamese authorities broke up a small anti-China protest in Hanoi and detained several people on Thursday, activists told AFP, a day after high-level talks over an oil rig in disputed waters ended in deadlock.

Around a dozen activists briefly waved banners and shouted “Chinese oil rig get out of Vietnam!” and “silence is cowardice” — a dig at Hanoi’s handling of the dispute — before police forced them to disperse.

Around seven activists were detained by police, according to reports posted on activist blogs. Police did not confirm the detentions.

“It is not good for people to gather here... we need to avoid causing difficulties for the state. The state can protect Vietnam’s sovereignty,” Do Anh Vinh, 22, a communist youth volunteer helping security forces said. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Four Civil Society Representatives Arrive in Geneva for the HRC’s Plenary Session on Vietnam’s UPR

20.06.2014 (Vietnam UPR) - GENEVA, 19/6/2014 - Four Vietnamese civil society activists have arrived in Geneva to begin a two-week campaign in Europe for human rights in Vietnam. Most significantly, the Delegation is scheduled to speak at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Plenary Session on June 20, a first time for independent civil society.

The four activists represent 10 independent civil society organizations in Vietnam active in human rights advocacy. The Delegation consists of Dr. Nguyen Quang A (Nguyễn Quang A), an economist and activist; Pham Le Vuong Cac (Phạm Lê Vương Các), a blogger and independent journalist; Nguyen Thi Vy Hanh (Nguyễn Thị Vy Hạnh), a human rights lawyer; and Trinh Huu Long, a human rights lawyer. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Physical Attacks Against Vietnamese Bloggers on the Rise

17.06.2014 By Endalkachew Chala (EFF) - On May 25, 2014, a Vietnamese blogger and human rights activist, Tran Thi Nga, was seriously injured during a violent attack in Hanoi, a local human rights organization reported.

Tran Thi Nga, a savvy social media user in documenting human right abuses in Vietnam, was returning home after visiting fellow blogger Nguyen Tuong Thuy when five men—now suspected to be undercover police members—surrounded her motor bike, on which she was riding with her two children, the report said. The assailants attacked Tran Thi Nga in front of her children and chased her before beating her with a metal pole. The blogger sustained serious injuries to her knee, arm, and back. [read more]

Un syndicat libre annonce qu’il entame des activités publiques au Vietnam

17.06.2014 (Églises d'Asie) - Un communiqué diffusé le 9 juin 2014 vient de rendre publique l’apparition d’un syndicat libre et le début de ses activités sur la scène sociale du Vietnam. Son nom officiel est le Syndicat libre des travailleurs vietnamiens. Il se présente lui-même comme une organisation de la société civile dont le but est de contribuer à la défense des intérêts des travailleurs du Vietnam.

Par ses caractéristiques principales – il est indépendant et se considère comme une organisation de la société civile –, il se différencie de l’organisation contrôlée par l’Etat, le Syndicat général des travailleurs du Vietnam, jusqu’à présent le seul organisme habilité à défendre les intérêts du monde ouvrier. Placé directement sous le contrôle du Parti communiste vietnamien, il lui est reproché d’être davantage un instrument au service d’intérêts politiques partisans. [en savoir plus] - [tiếng Việt]

Political prisoners transferred away from family

16.06.2014 (VNRN) – Prisoners of conscience in Vietnam have been transferred away from their families, a pattern that has come to the fore with the most recent move of Le Quoc Quan (Lê Quốc Quân) from Hanoi to Quang Nam province 760km (470 miles) away.

The transfer of the lawyer and democracy activist occurred “at night and without notice to the family,” Quan’s brother Le Quoc Quyet told Vietnam Right Now. The family only knew about it after Quan, upon arriving in Quang Nam, yelled out his name to passers-by, one of whom knew of Quan and then contacted Quyet.

Writing on Radio Free Asia, blogger JB Nguyen Huu Vinh thought it was “petty vendetta” to take prisoners of conscience away from their families. In an interview on the BBC Vietnamese service, Quyet saw his brother’s transfer as further suppression of Quan’s free speech, as he had been kept aware of current events and was telling other prisoners his criticism of the government’s inaction in the face of conflict with China at sea. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam hears blogger’s appeal in secret, affirms prison term

13.06.2014 (VNRN) – Without prior notice, Vietnam on June 9 held a surprise appellate hearing on the case of a convicted blogger that is so secret even his family didn’t know about it until they visited him afterwards in prison in Hanoi, according to activists.

The closed appeal affirmed the 15-month sentence against blogger Pham Viet Dao, 62, a former Vietnamese Communist Party member and government official. He had been convicted under Article 258 of Vietnam’s penal code for allegedly “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the State.”

A week before, his wife and children had contacted the court asking for the date of the appeal, and were told there had been no date set and that they should just wait, according to blogger Nguyen Xuan Dien, a well-informed activist. There was no lawyer present at the appeal “because Dao defended himself,” Dien wrote. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Libération de deux militants chrétiens de la province du Nghê An après trois années de détention

16.06.2014 (Églises d'Asie) - Le 11 juin dernier, on a appris la libération de deux prisonniers politiques, le jeune Nông Hung Anh et Mme Dang Ngoc Minh. Ils faisaient partie du groupe des 17 chrétiens, militants d’action sociale, arrêtés à des dates diverses, à partir du mois d’août jusqu’à la fin de l’année 2011. Nông Hung Anh était le seul protestant du groupe, composé, pour le restant, de catholiques. ... Mme Dang Minh Ngoc est une mère de famille catholique.

Nông Hung Anh, avant son arrestation, était étudiant au département de langue chinoise de la faculté de lettres de l’Université de Hanoi. Son patriotisme et son amour de la justice sociale le poussèrent à signer une protestation contre l’exploitation de la bauxite sur les Hauts Plateaux du Centre-Vietnam par des entreprises chinoises. Il participa aussi à des manifestations dénonçant les empiétements de la Chine sur la souveraineté nationale de son pays. Par ailleurs, il collaborait au réseau d’information organisé par les rédemptoristes vietnamiens. [en savoir plus] - [tiếng Việt]

Inhaftierter Blogger Le Quoc Quan heimlich verlegt

15.06.2014 (Forum Vietnam 21) - Informationen aus vietnamesischen Dissidentenkreis zufolge ist der Menschenrechtsaktivist Le Quoc Quan vorgestern, 13.06.2014, stillschweigend vom Hauptstadtgefängnis in ein Gefängnis in der Provinz Quang Nam in Zentralvietnam verlegt worden. Seine Familienangehörigen in der Hauptstadt Ha Noi waren von der Nachricht überrascht, da sie ihn zwei Tage zuvor besucht haben und von einer Verlegung keine Rede war. Die Verlegung kommt einer zusätzlichen Strafe gleich, sowohl für Quan als auch für seine Familie, da Besuche seiner Familienangehörigen dadurch erheblich erschwert werden.

Der vietnamesische Rechtsanwalt und Blogger war im Oktober 2013 wegen angeblicher Steuerhinterziehung zu einer Haftstrafe von zweieinhalb Jahren und eine Geldstrafe von ca. 23.000 Euro verurteilt worden. "Ich bin das Opfer einer politischen Verschwörung. Ich lehne diesen Prozess ab", sagte Quan. Die Menschenrechtsorganisation Human Rights Watch sprach von einer politisch motivierten Verurteilung und forderte die Freilassung des Juristen. Als wirklicher Grund für die Verurteilung wird Quans Engagement für Religionsfreiheit, Bürgerrechte und seine Kritik an der Kommunistischen Partei in Vietnam genannt. Der prominente Blogger und Journalist Nguyen Van Hai, Bloggername Dieu Cay, wurde ebenfalls wegen 'Steuerhinterziehung' verurteilt. In der jüngsten Vergangenheit sind Gewissengefangene oft weit weg vom ihrem Wohnort inhaftiert worden. Damit werden Familienangehörigen bestraft. Um nur ein paar Beispiele zu nennen: Dieu Cay Nguyen Van Hai wohnhaft in Saigon, wurde in das Gefängnis Nr. 6 im Distrikt Thanh Chuong, Provinz Nghe An, Zentralvietnam verlegt. Bloggerin und ehemalige Polizistin Ta Phong Tan, wohnhaft in Saigon, wurde in das Gefängnis Nr.5 in der Provinz Thanh Hoa verlegt. Der Schriftsteller Nguyen Xuan Nghia und nun Le Quoc Quan werden weg von Ha Noi verlegt. [tiếng Việt]

Berufungsgericht bestätigt Gefängnisstrafe für Blogger Pham Viet Dao

15.06.2014 (Forum Vietnam 21) - Der Blogger, Schriftsteller und Ex-Parteimitglied Pham Viet Dao (Bild) muss für 15 Monate hinter Gitter. In einer Verhandlung unter Ausschluss der Öffentlichkeit am Montag 09.06.2014 bestätigte ein Berufungsgericht die Haftstrafe des Bloggers. Diese Nachricht hat seine Frau bestätigt, die ihren Mann drei Tage nach dem Gerichtsurteil im Gefängnis besuchen durfte. Daos Frau zufolge waren an der Verhandlung nur die Richter, die Staatsanwaltschaft und der Angeklagte zugegen. Ein Gericht der ersten Intanz hat ihn mit der Begründung verurteilt, er habe dutzende Artikel veröffentlicht, die die politische Führung des Landes verunglimpfen und sorge dafür, dass die Bevölkerung das Vertrauen in diese verliert.

Blogger Pham Viet Dao war Beamter des Kultusministeriums, seine Mitgliedschaft in der kommunistischen Partei wurde im Zuge seiner Verhaftung beendet. Der 61-jährige Dao wurde am 13.06.2013 verhaftet, ihm wurde “Missbrauch demokratischer Freiheiten” nach Artikel 258 des Strafgesetzbuches vorgeworfen. Ein Gericht hat ihn März 2014 in einem zweistündigen Verfahren zu 15 Monaten Haft verurteilt.

Bloggerinnen und Blogger werden in Vietnam häufig nach Artikel 258 des Strafgesetzbuches verurteilt, wegen “Missbrauch demokratischer Freiheiten gegen das Staatsinteresse” verurteilt. [tiếng Việt]

Binh Duong: allanamiento de la policía contra una comunidad cristiana menonita, golpes y arrestos

14.06.2014 (AsiaNews) - Ho Chi Ming City (AsiaNews/EDA)- La policía vietnamita sin una orden de allanamiento ni autorizaciones, irrumpió en una casa de oración privada, al interior de la cual estaban reunidos un grupo de 76 fieles de la Iglesia menonita. El allanamiento sucedió en la noche entre el 9 y el 10 de junio pasado en Thai Hoa, distrito de Ben Cat, en la provincia meridional de Binh Duong, en el norte de Saigón; sin embargo, la noticia fue filtrada solo es estas horas a través de las telas de la censura del gobierno y fue publicada por la Eglise d´Asie (EdA).

El grupo de estudio-formado por pastores, misioneros, estudiantes y docentes-estaba transcurriendo la noche en una capilla perteneciente a la comunidad menonita de la zona; fuentes locales cuentan que, hacia las 22,30, al menos 300 entre policías, miembros de seguridad y agentes de civil irrumpieron en el edificio. [seguir leyendo] - [tiếng Việt]

During a raid, Binh Duong police beat and arrest members of a Mennonite Christian community

14.06.2014 (AsiaNews) - Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews/EdA) - Vietnamese police raided a private prayer home without a warrant. A group of 76 members of the Mennonite Church were present.

The raid took place on Monday night in Thai Hoa, Ben Cat District, in the southern province of Binh Duong, north of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). However, reports about it filtered through government censorship and reached Églises d'Asie (EdA) only now.

The study group - made up of pastors, missionaries, students and teachers - was spending the night in a chapel that belongs to the local Mennonite community.

Local sources said that at around 11.30 pm, at least 300 police officers, members of the security and plainclothes agents broke into the building. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnamese human righteffort nearly zero

13.06.2014 (VRNs) - Saigon- Since the latest Vietnam’s Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, from the beginning of this year up to now, the effort on Human Right in Vietnam is nearly zero.

On June 9th, Binh Duong Police attacked the Mennonite Protestant Church’s theology training establishment. The pastor Nguyen Manh Hung said: “At 11 pm on June 9th 2014, there were roughly from  300 to 500 people including polices, night-watchmen, and gangsterscoming to destroy the gate of the Mennonite Protestant Church in D10, My Phuoc, Ben Cat, Binh Duong. After getting inside the Church, the mixed group violently assaulted and beat the people residenting here and searched the whole Church.

After assaulting and beating, the group arrested 29 pastors and 47 students of the Mennonite theology institute as well as some kindergarten teachers. Noone knows where they arrested these people.

It is known that this search, people assault and arresting got no order from the competent authority. The harassment lasted from 11:30 pm on June 9th to 1 am on June 10th. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Des membres de l’Eglise mennonite brutalisés par la police

12.06.2014 (Eglises d'Asie) Un groupe important de cadres responsables et d’étudiants de l’Eglise mennonite du Vietnam vient d’être la cible d’une très brutale opération policière. Celle-ci a été menée par un groupe comprenant des membres de différents services de la Sécurité publique.

Les faits se sont produits dans la nuit du 9 au 10 juin 2014, dans la commune de Thai Hoa, district de Bên Cat, province de Binh Duong. Il s’agit d’une province créée à la fin du siècle dernier, au sud-est du Vietnam, immédiatement au nord d’Hô Chi Minh-Ville.

Les 76 membres d’une session d’études, parmi lesquels se trouvaient des pasteurs, des missionnaires, des étudiants et des enseignants, passaient la nuit dans une chapelle appartenant à la communauté mennonite. Vers 23h30, une troupe formée d’environ 300 personnes s’est présentée devant la chapelle. Certains agents étaient en uniforme et d’autres en civil. Ils appartenaient à diverses unités de la police, des forces armées et des milices populaires. Sans avertissement, les agresseurs ont forcé les portes de la chapelle et ont pénétré à l’intérieur. Les 76 membres de la session brutalement réveillés ont d’abord été frappés, menottés, puis arrêtés et emmenés, alors que tous s’étaient fait enregistrer auprès des autorités comme résidant cette nuit-là à cette adresse. [en savoir plus] - [tiếng Việt]

Blogging for Freedom in Vietnam 03.06.2014 By Emily Parker (The New Yorker) - A few years before his arrest, in 2012, I exchanged e-mails with the Vietnamese blogger Le Quoc Quan, a Hanoi-based lawyer who first started blogging in 2005. He told me that his first post, just a sentence long, read: “Oh my fatherland of Vietnam, I want to say something to you!” ... Some have said that the recent arrests of bloggers are likely to make people angrier, and may inspire new online voices of dissent. As the now imprisoned Quan said, a few years before his arrest: “In an open society, people feel free to blog. In a blocked society, we blog to be freer.” [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Wenn eine Krankenakte wie ein staatsgeheimnis gehalten wird

Der Fall Đinh Đăng Định (1963 – 2014)

31.05.2014 Dr. TK TRAN (MRVN) - Soldat war Herr Đinh Đăng Định und anschließend Chemielehrer. Wenn er nur in der Volksarmee gedient oder nur den braven Schülern die Chemieformeln beigebracht hätte, wäre sein Name in Vietnam selbst und in der ganzen Welt unbekannt. Doch Herr Định veröffentlichte in seinem Blog über die dramatischen Umweltkatastrophen aufgrund des Bauxit-Abbaus auf dem Hochland Vietnams und über die Sehnsucht nach Demokratie und Freiheit … Dies konnten die Machthaber in Vietnam nicht akzeptieren. So wurde Herr Định im Oktober 2011 verhaftet und ein Jahr danach zu sechs Jahren Gefängnis verurteilt. Im Gefängnis wurde bei ihm Magenkrebs diagnostiziert; er starb am 03. April 2014 (1).

Wenn eine Krankenakte zum Staatsgeheimnis wird

Über mehrere Wochen ließen die behördlichen Stellen Herrn Định und seiner Familie in Ungewissheit über seine Krankheit. Anträge auf Akteneinsicht wurden von der Gefängnisleitung unter Hinweis auf Nicht-Zuständigkeit zurückgewiesen: Dies sei in der Verantwortung der behandelnden Klinik (2). Dieselben Bitten an die behandelnden Ärzte brachten kein positives Ergebnis: Die Ärzte dürfen keine Krankenakte herausgeben ohne Genehmigung des Ministeriums für die öffentliche Sicherheit (Bộ Công An). Anträge an diese Behörde blieben unbeantwortet: Niemand kümmerte sich um die Anträge von Herrn Định und seiner Familie. Dies bleibt bis heute so: Die Krankenakte wird gehalten wie ein Staatsgeheimnis. Die Botschaften der Europäischen Union und der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika in Hà-Nội haben Protestnoten über diesen Fall bei der vietnamesischen Regierung eingereicht (3). [Weiterlesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Writing in tears, a letter from the wife of prisoner of conscience Ngo Hao

30.05.2014  Translate by Như Ngọc (Danlambao)  - I am Nguyen Thi Kim Lan, wife of the prisoner of conscience Ngo Hao who is currently imprisoned in Xuan Phuoc prison, Dong Xuan district, Phu Yen province.

My husband was arrested on February 8, 2013, and sentenced to 15 years in prison for allegedly violating article 79 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. He was convicted for engaging in "activities aimed at overthrowing the people's administration." In fact, he peacefully advocates for human rights, democracy and territorial integrity. I am writing this letter in tears, physical pains and mental torment. I do not know how many more times I will be able to visit my husband and whether I will have another chance to write you the next letter. My throat cancer is in the final stages and it can bring me depart from this world at any time. But I only feel sorrow for my husband, Mr. Ngo Hao, who has not finished serving 2 years out of the harsh 15-year prison sentence. My two sons Ngo Minh Tam and Ngo Minh Tri are still at school. They always have to face with public opinion and the pressure from school, society and the neighborhood for being the sons of Ngo Hao, a man regarded by the authorities as "reactionary." It will certainly be difficult for them to find job in the future. People usually look forwards to the future, to the coming days, but I just wish that the time would stand still. So I will have a chance to meet my husband and live little longer with my sons. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam's Religious Leaders Highlight Harassment of Pastor in Prison

30.05.2014 (RFA) - Vietnamese religious leaders have appealed to the government to put an end to the harassment in prison of a Mennonite pastor and investigate other abuses against “prisoners of conscience.” In a letter Thursday to Vietnam’s President Truong Tan Sang and Public Security Minister Tran Dai Quang, the 14 churchmen called especially for a halt to the ill treatment in jail of pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh, who earlier this month was forced to stand before fellow prisoners to be verbally attacked by officials after he wrote a note to prison guards urging an improvement in prison conditions. Chinh, who is also an activist, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2012 for "undermining unity" by maintaining ties with dissident groups and distributing material deemed to have “slandered” government authorities. [read more]

Vietnamese Dissidents Who Backed Anti-China Protests Harassed in Prison

29.05.2014 (RFA) - Two jailed Vietnamese online activists who backed protests against China over a territorial dispute with Hanoi in the South China Sea are being regularly harassed in prison, their relatives have said after recent visits.

Citizen journalist Ta Phong Tan, a former policewoman who has received international awards for her work, is facing abuse from her fellow inmates, while fellow dissident Ngo Hao is suffering from ill treatment to the point that he is threatening suicide, their relatives said.

Both were jailed after campaigning online in defense of Vietnam’s territorial integrity in the South China Sea and well as human rights and democracy.

They were imprisoned well before the worst anti-China protests in decades broke out in Hanoi and other key Vietnamese cities earlier this month following Beijing’s deployment of a giant oil rig in disputed waters off Vietnam’s coast. [read more]

The fight for Internet freedom must not only go on, but go global

26.05.2014 By Thanh Lam (rabble.ca) - So here’s the deal: the future of the open Internet is on the line. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), an international trade deal involving 12 Pacific Rim countries, threatens to make the Internet we know and love more expensive, censored, and policed. The TPP has huge implications for all of us -- but let’s zoom in on one of the countries taking part to get an idea of the impact.

Blocking and filtering content have long been a part of Vietnam’s Internet regulation practices, but the explosion of social media was unexpected, giving rise to unprecedented ways for citizens to connect and, more importantly, organize. Social networking sites such as blogs, Twitter, and Facebook allowed activists, journalists and everyday citizens to find solidarity with one another, giving them the courage to speak out against the government’s corrupt practices.

Just this past year, the Vietnamese government passed an even more repressive law -- Decree 72 -- known formally as the Decree on Management, Provision, and Use of Internet Services and Information Content Online. [read more]

Vietnam activist beaten by police at airport

Personal report from Anthony Lê Thanh Tùng, seized on return from a press freedom conference

22.05.2014 (ucanews) - Anthony Lê Thanh Tùng for Vietnamese Redemptorist News.

(Note: Anthony Lê Thanh Tùng is a Vietnamese human rights activist, who has associations with the local congregation of Redemptorists. He was recently invited to a Congressional briefing on media freedom in Washington DC, to coincide with World Press Freedom Day on May 3. On his return to Vietnam he was apprehended at the airport. This, in his own words, is an account of what happened.)

I entered the entry area at Tan Son Nhat airport after more than 23 hours of traveling (including transit time in Japan) from Washington D.C. to Saigon, Vietnam. The airport at that time had more than 300 passengers including Vietnamese and foreigners waiting in-line for customs and immigration clearance. At the passport control booth, I handed my passport to the agent and after having scanned it, the agent looked at me and picked up the phone to call someone. In less than 1 minute, there were more than 20 policemen in uniforms and plain clothes rushed out and they jumped on me and attacked me, their action is not unlike a pride of lions attacking a prey. [read more]

Human Rights: Nonsense On Stilts?

20.05.2014 (Forbes) - Saudi Arabia, China and Vietnam have been appointed to the United Nations Council on Human Rights. All three countries forbid free speech and harshly punish criticism of the regime. None respects religious freedom or freedom of conscience. None has a transparent system of law, and – to put it mildly – none has an immigration problem. So what does this tell us about the idea of human rights?

During the 17th century England was torn apart by civil war. This war came to an end in the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688, when James II was expelled from the country and William of Orange welcomed in his stead. At one level this represented the popular desire for a Protestant rather than a Roman Catholic dynasty on the throne. At another level it meant the final victory of a centuries-long struggle for a form of government that would see individual freedom rather than collective submission as its goal.

Henceforth individuals were to enjoy freedoms that protected them, their property and their way of life from arbitrary invasion, be it from their neighbours or from the officers of the crown. Such was affirmed next year in the 1689 Bill of Rights, which guaranteed freedom from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, the protection of free speech in Parliament, and the abolition of the Royal prerogative to appoint judges or to act as judge. The overall effect was to make the monarch as much subject to the law as the ordinary citizen. [read more]

Opinion - Standing up for human rights in Vietnam

17.05.2014 By Cu Huy Ha Vu (The Washington Post) - Facing mounting pressure by the international community and seeking trade and security commitments, the Vietnamese government recently released five prisoners of conscience. I was one of them.

Such releases are always welcome, but they should not be confused with actual human rights improvements. There are an estimated 400 prisoners of conscience in Vietnam. Even as a handful of dissidents were released, a larger number were detained or sentenced to prison terms. Many in Southeast Asia believe that Vietnam has replaced Burma as the region’s worst violator of human rights. [read more]

It's not just Cambodia, Vietnam - Southeast Asia struggles with Internet freedom

15.05.2014 Author Kyle James (Deutsche Welle) - Online freedoms are under attack in large parts of Asia, especially Southeast Asia. A Freedom House study says most counties in the region are either "not free" or only "partly free."

Laos and Vietnam continue their repression of voices that could challenge one-party rule. Vietnam has a large and flourishing online community, but posting about certain topics can result in jail time. Underdeveloped Laos is just starting to come online, but authorities there appear ready to follow their Chinese and Vietnamese neighbors in regulating online speech.

Vietnam comes out near the bottom of the Asia regional ranking in Freedom House's 2013 Freedom on the Net report, only beating out China. It is classified as "not free."

Earlier this month, Vietnam arrested two democracy activists in Hanoi for posting online articles critical of the government. The two, Nguyen Huu Vinh and Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, are accused of violating Article 258. The charge carries a maximum seven-year jail sentence. During the first three months of 2014, at least six other people were convicted on the same charge. [read more]

‘Deterioro’ de la situación de los Derechos Humanos en Vietnam

13.05.2014 Escrito por Mong Palatino, traducido por María Angélica Marín (Global Voices Español) - La Red de Derechos humanos en Vietnam entregó su informe [en] 2013 sobre el ‘deterioro’ de la situación de los Derechos Humanos en Vietnam:

" …la situación de los Derechos Humanos en Vietnam dió un vuelco negativo en el 2013. El número de detenidos por opiniones políticas contrarias al partido en el poder aumentaron, la violencia policial creciente se reflejó en el mantenimiento del alto número de muertes ..." [seguir leyendo]

‘Worsening’ Human Rights Situation in Vietnam

11.05.2014 Written by Mong Palatino (Global Voices) - The Vietnam Human Rights Network released its 2013 report about the ‘worsening’ human rights situation in Vietnam: …the human rights situation in Vietnam took a turn for the worse in 2013. The number of people detained for political views contrary to those of the ruling party increased, unabated police violence was reflected in the still high number of deaths and injuries caused by such violence, and the number of farmers whose land was expropriated without adequate compensation was on the rise. [read more]

Vietnam: Erneut zwei bekannte Blogger verhaftet

07.05.2014 Von Andrea Jonjic (netzpolitik) - Nicht mal einen Monat ist es her, dass ich über die Verurteilung des vietnamesischen Bloggers Pham Viet Dao schrieb. Nun wurden wieder zwei bekannte Blogger in Vietnam verhaftet, und wieder lautet der Vorwurf “Missbrauch demokratischer Freiheiten”. Nguyen Huu Vinh und dessen Mitarbeiter Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy sollen “üble Inhalte und falsche Informationen verbreitet haben, die das Ansehen und Vertrauen in staatliche Institutionen vermindert haben”. Grundlage für die Festnahme ist wieder Artikel 258 des Strafgesetzbuches, der “Missbrauch demokratischer Freiheiten gegen das Staatsinteresse”, der mit bis zu sieben Jahren Haft geahndet werden kann.

Laut Phil Robertson von Human Rights Watch bewirkt das strikte Vorgehen der vietnamesischen Regierung eher das Gegenteil dessen, was diese erreichen will...[Weiterlesen]

Vietnam: Arrests of Internet Activists Escalate

07.05.2014 (HRW) - (Bangkok) – Vietnamese authorities should drop all charges and immediately release bloggers Nguyen Huu Vinh (also known as Ba Sam) and Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, Human Rights Watch said today. The two were arrested on May 5, 2014, for publishing articles on the Internet, and charged under article 258 of the penal code for “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the state.”

“Vietnam’s arrests of more bloggers for allegedly abusing ‘democratic freedoms’ is a cynical and chilling move,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director. “Vietnam should immediately drop these bogus charges, and then take the next step by scrapping article 258 and other provisions of the penal code regularly used to punish free expression.” [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

FVPOC: Vietnam Seriously Violates Freedom of Expression by New Arrests

07.05.2014 By FVPOC - Translation by Vu Quoc Ngu (Defend the Defenders) - On May 5, Vietnam’s police arrested Nguyen Huu Vinh, owner of the most popular Vietnamese online website AnhBaSam, and one co-partner for posting articles carrying out ““incorrect contents that aim to defame the party and state.” The arrest is pursuant to Article 258 under the Penal Code of the Socialistic Republic of Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security said on its website.

On behalf of the Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience (FVPOC), Co-President Dr. Nguyen Dan Que said: We totally protest the arrest of AnhBaSam’s owner Nguyen Huu Vinh and his co-partner Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy. Vietnam’s government needs to respect the freedom of expression. We demand the government to clarify the case and free the two bloggers unconditionally. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Two more bloggers arrested for “abusing democratic freedoms”

06.05.2014 (RWB) - Reporters Without Borders condemns yesterday’s arrest of two bloggers, Nguyen Huu Vinh and his employee Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, for posting articles that allegedly contained “bad content and incorrect information that reduces prestige and trust in state agencies.”

They have been charged under article 258 of the penal code covering “abuse of democratic freedoms,” which carries sentences ranging from warnings to two years in prison, or seven years in “grave circumstances.”

“The arrest of two more bloggers, just two days after World Press Freedom Day, is a clear signal by the authorities, and shows that Vietnam is going further down the road of repression”, said Reporters Without Borders research chief Lucie Morillon. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Deux nouveaux blogueurs arrêtés pour “abus des libertés démocratiques”

06.05.2014 (RSF) - Reporters sans frontières condamne l’arrestation le 5 mai 2014 du netcitoyen Nguyen Huu Vinh et de sa collègue Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy pour avoir posté des articles “contenant des fausses informations qui réduisent le prestige et la confiance dans les agences de l’Etat”. Cette accusation se base sur l’article 258 du code pénal traitant de l’“abus des libertés démocratiques” qui peut entraîner des peines allant d’un avertissement jusqu’à deux ans d’emprisonnement, voire sept années en cas de “circonstances graves”.

“Ces nouvelles arrestations de blogueurs, qui interviennent au lendemain de la Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse constituent un signal fort de la part des autorités. Elles montrent que le Vietnam s’enfonce plus que jamais dans la répression”, déclare Lucie Morillon, directrice de la recherche de Reporters sans frontières. "L’article 258 du code pénal est régulièrement utilisé pour réduire au silence les acteurs de l’information dès que ceux-ci deviennent trop dérangeants pour le pouvoir. Nous exigeons la libération immédiate de Nguyen Huu Vinh et Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy ainsi que celle des 31 autres blogueurs qui demeurent emprisonnés. Il est temps que les autorités mettent fin à leur acharnement à l’encontre des individus qui exercent la liberté d’expression et d’information garantie par l’article 19 de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’Homme”, ajoute-t-elle. [en savoir plus] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam detains blogger for ‘ugly’ content

06.05.2014 (Independent Online) - Hanoi - Vietnamese police have arrested a prominent blogger and his associate for posting “ugly content” about the communist state, the latest incident in a crackdown on dissent that is testing US efforts to bolster ties with its former foe.

Former policeman and private detective Nguyen Huu Vinh, 58, known locally for gathering and posting political and social comments from the public, was arrested on Monday with Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, 34, for publishing “wrongful information”.

The Ministry of Public Security, which oversees police, said the blog postings had made the public lose faith in the state apparatus, according to its website. They are charged with abusing their democratic freedoms. [read more]

Zwei regierungskritische Blogger festgenommen

06.05.2014 (NZZ) - (ap) Erneut haben die Behörden in Vietnam zwei bekannte regierungskritische Blogger verhaftet. Den Angaben zufolge wurde Nguyen Huu Vinh und Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy am Montag in der Hauptstadt Hanoi festgenommen. Ihnen wird Verstoss gegen den Artikel 258 vorgeworfen, was mit bis zu sieben Jahren Haft bestraft werden kann.

Vinh ist der Gründer des populären Blogs Basam, der die wichtigsten Themen der lokalen Presse ebenso verbreitet wie regierungskritische Abhandlungen von Dissidenten. [Weiterlesen]

Prominent blogger arrested in Vietnam for posting ‘bad content’

06.05.2014 By Agence France-Presse (Raw Story) - A prominent blogger has been arrested in Vietnam accused of disseminating anti-state articles in the communist country’s latest crackdown on online dissent, police said Tuesday.

Nguyen Huu Vinh, 57, more commonly known as Anh Ba Sam, was arrested in Hanoi on Monday for posting articles “with bad content and incorrect information that reduces prestige and trust in state agencies,” the ministry of public security said in a statement.

Vietnam bans private media and all newspapers and television channels are state-run. Lawyers, bloggers and activists are regularly subject to arbitrary arrest and detention.Police also arrested Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, 33, who was accused of the same offence, the statement added, without giving details of her alleged role. [read more]

Vietnam arrests 2 bloggers in new crackdown

06.05.2014 By Chris Brummitt (Associated Press) - HANOI -- Vietnam has arrested two democracy activists for posting articles critical of the government on the Internet, signaling a continued crackdown on dissent despite the early release of three dissidents last month.

Authorities said the pair were arrested Monday in the capital, Hanoi.

Nguyen Huu Vinh and Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy are accused of violating Article 258, which carries a maximum seven-year jail sentence.

Vinh is the founder of the widely read Basam blog, which publishes highlights of local press as well as dissident tracts critical of the government. [read more]

Detenidos célebre bloguero de Vietnam y su ayudante por criticar al Gobierno

06.05.2014 (sinembargo.mx) - (Vietnam), 6 may (EFE).- Un célebre bloguero de Vietnam y su ayudante fueron detenidos esta semana acusados de criticar sin fundamento al Gobierno, en otro ataque contra la libertad de expresión en esa nación asiática, informan hoy los medios locales. Según el Ministerio de Seguridad Pública, Ngueyn Huu Vinh, de 58 años de edad, es culpable de “divulgar por internet artículos con información engañosa para desprestigiar y originar desconfianza pública en funcionarios, organizaciones sociales y ciudadanos”. La Policía detuvo a Vinh, fundador y editor del blog basam.info, el lunes en Hanoi, y con él fue arrestada su ayudante la vietnamita Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, de 34 años. [seguir leyendo]

Vietnam Jails Two Bloggers for 'Abusing Democratic Freedoms'

06.05.2014 (VOA) - Vietnamese police have arrested two activists for posting online material that is critical of the country's communist government. In a statement, the Ministry of Public Security said Nguyen Huu Vinh and Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy were arrested Monday in the capital, Hanoi.

They are accused of "abusing democratic freedoms" by posting content that "reduces prestige and trust in state agencies."

They each face up to seven years in prison, if found guilty of the charge. [read more]

Arrestation d'un célèbre blogueur au Vietnam

06.05.2014 (Le Huffington Post Quebec) - Un célèbre blogueur vietnamien, accusé d'avoir écrit des articles contre l'Etat, a été arrêté, ont annoncé mardi les autorités du pays communiste, régulièrement accusé de vouloir réduire au silence toute dissidence.

Nguyen Huu Vinh, 57 ans, plus connu sous le nom de Anh Ba Sam, a été interpellé à Hanoï lundi pour avoir posté des articles "au contenu mauvais et aux informations incorrectes qui sapent le prestige et la confiance envers les agences de l'Etat", a indiqué le ministère de la Sécurité publique dans un communiqué.

Le ministère a précisé qu'une femme de 33 ans, Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, accusée des mêmes charges, avait également été arrêtée, sans autre précision sur son rôle. Vinh, ancien policier, avait créé en 2007 le blog politique et social "Ba Sam", devenu un lieu notamment de publications d'écrits de militants. Avec d'autres blogs, il était également devenu un point de ralliement des manifestations contre les ambitions de la Chine en mer de Chine méridionale. [en savoir plus] 

re:publica live gebloggt – Die Eröffnung!

06.05.2014 Anna Biselli (Netzpolitik) - Los geht es mit der Vorstellung von inhaftierten Bloggern, die für eine bessere Welt kämpften und dafür Repressionen in Kauf genommen haben: Tạ Phong Tần [ta fong t^n], eine ehemalige vietnamesische Polizistin, hat wegen eines Blogs zehn Jahre im Gefängnis verbracht: Sie wurde 2011 wegen „anti-vietnamesischer Propaganda“ verurteilt. Auf ihrem Blog schrieb sie über Korruption, Machtmissbrauch und Polizeigewalt. Amnesty International und Human Rights Watch kritisierten ihre Verurteilung, Tần erhielt den International Women of Courage Award. 2012 zündete sich ihre Mutter nach monatelangen Schikanen durch die Staatssicherheit an und starb. Hier könnt ihr eine Petition zur Freilassung vietnamesischer Blogger unterzeichenen! [Weiterlesen]

Online Portal Documents Vietnam's Human Rights Abuses

05.05.2014 Andrew Lam (HuffPost Media) - Note: Despite recent economic advances, Vietnam continues to languish when it comes to improving its human rights record, activists say. A new English-language online news portal, Vietnam Right Now, looks to inform readers on the Communist country's human rights situation, including updates on prisoners of conscience and others jailed for speaking out. Vietnam Right Now Editor Hao-Nhien Vu is a former editor with the Los Angeles-based Nguoi-Viet newspaper. He spoke with me about the publication and the day-to-day human rights abuses in Vietnam that it plans to cover.

What makes Vietnam Right Now different than other outlets reporting on Vietnam?

What's special about Vietnam Right Now is that we are single-mindedly focused on human rights issues. Many other news outlets spend a lot of time on other questions such as what the Vietnamese Communist Party happens to be doing. But unless the [government's] actions have a direct impact on human rights, it's not something we cover. [read more]

Threats, pressure, violence and prison: the daily life of Asia's "information heroes"

03.05.2014 (AsiaNews/Agencies) Phnom Penh - Today is World Press Freedom. Awards for Cambodian, Burmese, Chinese and Vietnamese journalists. The Beijing and Hanoi governments tighten censorship. Director General of RSF: "we honor the courage of journalists and bloggers who sacrifice their lives to follow their vocation".

A young Cambodian reporter, victim of repeated attacks for denouncing human rights violations and a Burmese journalist jailed for having conducted an investigation are among this year's 100 "information heroes". This list was drawn up by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), to mark the World Press Freedom Day this May 3. The Paris-based agency also wanted to reward a Buddhist monk and Tibetan activist, who made ​​a documentary that chronicles the plight of Tibetans under the Beijing regime; Special mentions are also made of three Chinese journalists and three Vietnamese colleagues, forced to work under increasingly difficult government press restrictions. [read more]

Las amenazas, la presión, la violencia y la cárcel: la vida cotidiana de los "Héroes de la información" en Asia

03.05.2014 (AsiaNews/Agencies) Phnom Penh - Hoy se celebra en todo el mundo el Día Internacional por la libertad de la prensa. Premios para periodistas de Camboya, Birmania, China y Vietnami. Los gobiernos de Beijing y Hanoi refuerzan la censura. Director General de RSF: "En honor a la valentía de los periodistas y bloggers que sacrifican sus vidas para seguir su vocación".

Un joven reportero camboyano, una víctima de repetidos ataques por denunciar violaciones de los derechos humanos y un periodista birmano encarcelado por haber llevado a cabo una investigación se encuentran entre los 100 "héroes de la información", 2014. Para elaborar un especial ranking el observatorio internacional Reporter senza frontiere (Rsf), que hoy el 03 de mayo festeja el día mundial para la libertad de la prensa. La agencia con sede en París también ha querido premiar a un activista monje budista y tibetano, que ha hecho un documental que narra la difícil situación de los tibetanos bajo el régimen de Beijing; especial mención también a tres periodistas chinos y tres colegas vietnamitas, obligados a trabajar en condiciones cada vez más difíciles debido a las restricciones de los gobiernos en la prensa. [seguir leyendo]

AICHR can do more to protect Asean citizens

28.04.2014 Kavi Chongkittavorn (The Nation) - The fate of Laotian civil society activist Sombath Somphone will serve as a test case on whether the dictum of a people-oriented Asean community, expounded recently by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, or people-centred community advocated by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, is genuine and sincere. Since December 2012, the whereabouts of Sombath, a Magsaysay Award winner are unknown.

Sombath's wife, Dr Ng Shui Meng, has been working relentlessly to push for a full investigation by the Laotian government into his disappearance. Asean-based civil society groups have also continuously appealed to Vientiane to put more effort into the case, which occurred in front of a police checkpoint near the capital, where he was last seen. So far, very little information has been revealed by the authorities.

At a recent meeting in Bangkok, Asean parliamentarians praised Singapore for its efforts to urge the Lao government to expedite their inquiry into Sombath's disappearance and resolve the case as soon as possible. They also called for other Asean members to take a firm and common stand on the issue. [read more]

La libertad de prensa, en su "nivel más bajo" en el mundo en una década

01.05.2014 (Últimas Noticias) - ÚN | EFE.- La libertad de prensa en todo el mundo ha caído a su nivel más bajo en una década, incluido un deterioro del ambiente para los medios en Estados Unidos, según un informe publicado este jueves por la organización Freedom House.

El grupo independiente, con sede en Washington, pintó su mapa de verde, en señal de "prensa libre", en Australia, Canadá, Costa Rica, Estados Unidos, la mayor parte de Europa, Israel, Japón y Uruguay.

El amarillo de "parcialmente libre" incluye la mayor parte de América del Sur, el noroeste y sudeste de África, India, Italia y los países balcánicos, India, Mongolia, Indonesia y Filipinas.

El resto, incluidos Cuba, Ecuador, México, Rusia, Venezuela, China, Vietnam, Camboya, Madagascar, Gran parte de del centro y nordeste de África, Oriente Medio y el Golfo Pérsico aparecen en el tono violeta de países sin libertad de prensa, según el grupo. [seguir leyendo]

US Panel Adds 8 Counties to List of Severe Violators of Religious Freedom

01.05.2014 (VOA) - A U.S. panel on religious freedom is asking the State Department to add eight more countries to the list where severe violations of religious freedom are tolerated by their governments. In its annual report, the Commission on International Religious Freedom named Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Vietnam as new "countries of particular concern."

The report lists 33 countries across the globe where violations were reported last year [read more]

U.S. to Raise Bloggers’ Crackdown Issue With Vietnam

01.05.2014 By Richard Finney and Mac Lam (RFA) - The United States will raise the issue of Vietnam’s persistent crackdown on bloggers at a bilateral human rights dialogue this month, a senior official said Thursday, as six Vietnam-based bloggers expressed concerns in Washington over harsh restrictions on Internet freedom in the one-party communist state.

“We will be raising these issues with the representatives of Vietnam, because we believe these issues have to be addressed,” Scott Busby, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor said, speaking on a panel hosted by Radio Free Asia, Reporters Without Borders, and other groups ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3.

“We [will] continue to speak out whenever we can about the importance of Internet freedom,” Busby said. [read more]

UK anti-slavery bill must focus more on victims, MP says

01.05.2014 Author: Katie Nguyen (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - LONDON - The British government's proposed law to wipe out modern-day slavery is a landmark piece of legislation but needs to focus more on victims to ensure a higher rate of convictions.

That is the view of Caroline Spelman, a member of a cross-party committee of parliamentarians charged with scrutinising the draft law published last year. In 2012, the number of potential victims reported to Britain's National Referral Mechanism set up to identify trafficking victims, rose by 25 percent from the previous year to nearly 1,200. Most victims were from Nigeria, Vietnam, Albania, Romania and China, and subjected to sexual exploitation and forced labour. [read more]