Vietnamese Netizens Demand 'Right to Know' in Online CampaignRFA - 09-02-2014 Bloggers across Vietnam
launched an online campaign Tuesday demanding that their authoritarian
government keep the people closely informed about national and foreign policies,
including its dealings with giant neighbor China whose territorial disputes with
Hanoi have led to riots and a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations. “Meanwhile, the Vietnamese regime represses anyone who wishes transparency, and tries to shed light upon this existing ‘black hole’ and seeks the truth of what has happened and is happening,” the group said. Of particular concern was China’s deployment in May this year of an oil rig, HD-981, to waters off the Vietnamese coast claimed by both countries, which prompted a storm of anti-China protests in Vietnam. Hanoi initially allowed the protests in a rare move widely seen as a way to amplify state anger against Beijing, but the government backpedaled after protests turned bloody, with riots targeting Chinese business interests. Beijing says four Chinese citizens were killed in the unrest. When China—to support its claim over disputed territory—released the contents of a 1958 diplomatic note signed by then Vietnamese prime minister Pham Van Dong, apparently acknowledging Chinese sovereignty over the disputed area, the Vietnamese people were “astounded,” the statement by the Network of Vietnamese Bloggers said. Beijing
withdrew the rig in July, citing bad weather and the completion of exploratory
work. The terms of a “secret” treaty signed in Chengdu, China, in 1990 by Chinese and Vietnamese leaders preceding the normalization of relations between the two countries have also been kept hidden from the citizens of Vietnam and must now be openly declared, the posted text said. “Until now, nearly a quarter of a century has passed, and still there is no official information regarding the signed agreement from the Vietnamese government,” according to the statement. “The inter-related interests of the top two groups in the Communist Party of Vietnam and China always compel them to cover information relating to sovereignty, human rights, and economic, social, and cultural issues in Vietnam.” “Based on information [already revealed], every citizen is concerned about the prospect of Vietnam turning into a part of China,” the statement said. Vietnam and China fought a brief but bloody war in 1979 triggered by Hanoi’s invasion of Cambodia. Ties normalized in 1991 but anti-Chinese sentiment remains strong in Vietnam. The campaign “stems from the basic rights of every citizen,” a second blogger, Pham Van Hai, told RFA, adding, “We joined this campaign because it involves events concerning our lives and community.” The Vietnamese people’s demand for unhindered access to information “may not be answered in the short term, but if we are patient I believe there will be a result,” blogger Nghien said. “Even though I think the party will not comply with our request today, if we maintain legitimate pressure the truth will someday be revealed,” she said referring to the ruling Vietnamese Communist Party which does not tolerate dissent and has been using vague charges to detain and jail dozens of writers and bloggers. About 150 to 200
activists and bloggers are serving prison time in Vietnam simply for exercising
their basic rights, activist groups say.
Vietnam Human Rights Network |