Human Rights Watch slams Vietnam for poor rights records

 

AP – 01.14.2005

An American human rights group slammed Vietnam Friday for its poor rights record, saying abuses inside the communist country got worse last year.

"Human rights conditions in Vietnam, already dismal, worsened in 2004," New York-based Human Rights Watch said in an annual report covering the world. "Dissidents are harassed, isolated, placed under house arrest, and in many cases charged with crimes and imprisoned."

[Click here to read the report in pdf format]

The group cited several dissidents and democracy activists who were arrested and tried on charges including espionage and other vaguely worded crimes against "national security."

It said the Vietnamese government continues its crackdown on unauthorized religious organizations, and maintains strict control of the Internet.

"We completely reject (it)" said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung in a statement. "The report... was based on erroneous information which does not reflect the real situation in Vietnam."

Members of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and ethnic minority Protestants in the northern and central highlands are particularly targeted by the government.

According to the group, at least 10 ethnic minority members in the central highlands were killed in clashes with police during the Easter weekend. Hanoi has said only two protesters were killed by rocks thrown by other demonstrators.

Hanoi has repeatedly denied the accusations, saying it guarantees its citizens religious freedom and human rights.

In September, the U.S. State Department designated Vietnam a "country of particular concern" for its poor human rights record. Washington has until March 15 to decide whether to remove Vietnam from the list, or impose sanctions against the communist country.