Vietnam CSOs’
Joint Statement on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Now we hear again the voice of UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon in 2012: On this
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we express our solidarity
with, and support for, the hundreds of thousands of victims of torture and their
family members throughout the world who endure such suffering. We also note the
obligation of States not only to prevent torture but to provide all torture
victims with effective and prompt redress, compensation and appropriate social,
psychological, medical and other forms of rehabilitation. Both the General
Assembly and the Human Rights Council have now strongly urged States to
establish and support rehabilitation centers or facilities.
Now we hear again the call for help from hundreds of people were taken to the
police station to be tortured to death because of unverified reason or a certain
violation; from a thousand defendant beaten badly during investigation, being
maltreated for a certain period during imprisonment. In addition, there is the
outcry of thousands of prisoners' relatives to seek justice, humanity for
maltreatment.
Such outcry echoes strongly as Vietnam is the member of the Human rights Council
and recently signing the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Not only strongly but also such outcry increasingly can be heard anywhere
because the Communist regime is more and more brutal and totalitarian. The array
of facts veirified:
1. Report January 2014 of the Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience about
the violation of human rights (including the different indexes),
2. Open letter in May 2015 of many civil society organizations sent to the
Minister of public security
3. Condemning and opposing violence, report on May 21, 2015.
Today, on the occasion of the 17th anniversary (1998-2015) of the international
day in support of victims of torture, we publish this joint statement as:
1. A sharing with the international community on the most serious and painful
human rights issues in the conscience and humanity civilization.
2. An alarm with the whole Vietnamese fellows about the evil link of police,
public security police and thugs to beat citizens rampantly even in the daytime.
3. A reminder to the authorities and the police forces about the obligation of
States not only to prevent torture but to provide all torture victims with
effective and prompt redress, compensation and appropriate social,
psychological, medical and other forms of rehabilitation.
4. A call to choose the 26 June day as a national holiday to end violence,
torture in Vietnam.
Vietnam, June 26, 2015
Civil Society Organizations signed:
1. Bach
Dang Giang Foundation: Pham Ba Hai (MBE)
2. Boxit Vietnam Forum: Prof. Pham Xuan Yem, Prof. Nguyen Hue Chi
3. Civil Society Forum: Nguyen Quang A (Ph.D.)
4. Cao Dai church – Humanity Charter: Mr. Hua Phi, Mr. Nguyen Kim Lan, Mrs. Bach
Phung.
5. Evangelical Lutheran Community Church Vietnam-America: Pastor Nguyen Hoang
Hoa.
6. Vietnamese Political and Religious Prisoners Friendship Association: Nguyen
Bac Truyen (LLB)
7. Religion and Ethnic Minorities Defenders: Mr. Huynh Trong Hieu
8. Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience: Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, Catholic
Priest Phan Van Loi.
9. Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam: reporter Pham Chi Dung
10. Vietnamese Women for Human Rights: Ms.Huynh Thuc Vy, Ms.Tran Thuy Nga, Mrs.
Tran Thi Hai
11. Bloc 8406: writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, Eng. Do Nam Hai
12. Viet Labor: Mr. Truong Minh Duc
13. Nguyen Kim Dien Group: Father Nguyen Huu Giai.
14. Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, Purity: Mr. Le Quang Liem, Mr. Le Van Soc
15. Delegation of Vietnamese United Buddhists Church: Ven. Thich Khong Tanh.