UK
Conservative Human Rights Commission calls on Vietnam to cease increasingly
severe repression and begin process of transition to democracy
Conservative Party Human Rights Commission
For Immediate Release
September 10th, 2006 – 23.00 GMT
The UK's Conservative Party Human Rights Commission today released a report from
a recent visit to Vietnam, calling on the government of Vietnam to release all
prisoners of conscience in the country and begin the process of transition to
democracy.
The Commission also issued a statement of support for 'Bloc 8406', a growing
organisation in the country's democracy movement, in its struggle for human
rights, freedom and democracy. Many of the activists in Bloc 8406 are in prison,
under regimes of restricted movement, or subject to constant police harassment
and regular arrest.
As detailed in the report, it appears to the Commission that the government of
Vietnam has launched a new wave of repression to quell dissent before it hosts
the APEC summit on November 16th. The government appears to have used
the recent release of activists such as Mr Pham Hong Son to deflect attention
from its worsening abuses, such as the apparent torturing to death of ethnic
minority Christian Mr Y Ngo Adrong on July 13th this year.
Rado Tylecote, the author of the report, said: 'Vietnam stands at the advent of
a new chapter in its remarkable history. The vast majority of the Vietnamese
people want a multi-party democracy that respects their rights as human beings.
All those concerned for their welfare, and for human rights in general, should
not allow the Vietnamese government's deceit to continue. The process of
transition to democracy should begin now'.
Click here to read full report
Click here to read the Statement of Support
for the Movement for Democracy in Vietnam
NOTES TO EDITORS:
During his visit, Rado Tylecote visited dissidents in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City),
Hue and Hanoi, including Nguyen Khac Toan, Nguyen Van Dai, Do Nam Hai, Phan Van
Loi and Nguyen Van Ly. He has spoken about the trip on Radio Free Asia.
The Conservative Party Human Rights Commission is a body established by the
Shadow Foreign Secretary in 2005 to highlight international human rights
concerns, and to inform, advise and develop the party's foreign policy by making
human rights a priority. Freedom and human dignity should be at the heart of
foreign policy. The Commission is chaired by Gary Streeter MP and human rights
activist Benedict Rogers serves as Deputy Chairman. The Commission includes
several Members of Parliament.
For further information, please see the report at:
www.conservativehumanrights.com/news
Alternatively, please contact the author at
rado.tylecote@conservativehumanrights.com