Vietnam publishes
statement on human rights
Radio Australia
19/08/2005
In its
first published statement on human rights, Vietnam has admitted shortcomings but
denied some of the worst allegations made against the government.
The document states "hostile forces" have made false allegations against Vietnam
on issues related to human rights, democracy, religions and ethnicity.
The US-based Montagnard Foundation which champions the rights of ethnic minority
people in the Central Highlands, and the Paris-based Vietnam Commission for the
Protection of Human Rights were named as being hostile.
The document states Vietnam fully respects freedom of speech and freedom of the
press, even though its media is controlled by the government and the communist
party,
A western diplomat in Hanoi told the AFP newsagency that the document gives no
cause for optimism that Vietnam will improve its human rights record.
He believes its an exercise aimed at appeasing opponents in the United States
Congress to Vietnam's application to join the World Trade Organisation.