Vietnam Human Rights Network denounced sentences against Father Nguyen van LyVietnam Human Rights Network14550 Magnolia St., Suite 203 * Westminster, CA 92683 - USA Tel: (714) 719-5220 & 897-1950 * Fax (562) 422-7676 Email: vnhrnet@vietnamhumanrights.net * http://www.vnhrnet.org
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STATEMENT ON FATHER NGUYEN VAN LY’S SENTENCING OF 3-30-2007
On Friday morning of 3-30-2007, the Thua Thien–Hue communist court, following a quick four-hour trial, imposed the following harsh sentences: Father Nguyen Van Ly, 8 years in prison and 5 years under house arrest; Mr. Nguyen Phong, 6 years in prison and 3 years under house arrest; Mr. Nguyen Binh Thanh, 5 years in prison and 2 years under house arrest; Ms. Hoang Thi Anh Dao, 2 years of probation and 3 years of challenge; and Ms. Le Thi Le Hang, 18 months of probation and 2 years of challenge. According to the court, the defendants’ crime was a violation of Article 88 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code for having “propagandized against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”.
The trial took place toward the end of the week as usually seen in political cases, after a short eight-week preliminary investigation, without the presence of either defense lawyers or defendants’ relatives. No presentation by the defendants was allowed, except “yes” or “no” answers to questions. The pre-fabricated sentences were an intent to create a status quo for the plot of silencing peaceful activists, who are fighting for the basic human rights that are recognized by the International Law and Vietnam’s Constitution.
The Vietnamese communist authorities, have displayed a total lack of gratitude despite the fact that the world has helped them to become a member of the World Trade Organization, enjoy the privileges of the Permament Normal Trade Relation, get off the Country of Particular Concern for severe violations of religious freedom list, and show their faked nice image in the organization of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference. Instead, they have quickly realized that the world no longer has any leverage over their respect for human rights and, therefore, have resumed in earnest their terrorizing brutalities.
Such convictions for the crimes of propagnda against the state (Article 88) and sabotage of the unity policy (Art. 87) are just a vague attempt by the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) to maintain its ruling monopoly, unseen in any legal system of civilized and democratic nations. Meanwhile, the VCP itself has violated its own Crimanal Code such as citizens’ rights of assembly, association, freedom of faith, and religion (Art.129); their rights to private and safe access to their own mail, telephone, and telegrams (Art. 125); the sanctity of their private residences (Art 124); and protection against illegal apprehension or detention (Art 123). Should Vietnam ‘s legal system be independent like in any democracy, the present VCP leaders in Hanoi would all be in prison.
Father Nguyen Van Ly published private newspaper or supported other people to found political parties is not a crime; but only an exercise of his basic human rights, including freedoms of thought, expression, and association as stipulated by Articles 18, 19, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Articles 18, 19, 21, and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and Article 69 of Vietnam’s Constitution. Vietnam became a member of the United Nations in 1977 and a signatory of the Covenant in 1982, a status that requires it to respect all these international laws.
In addition, the VCP - a small and short-term group by a nature - has always attempted to identify itself with the state - a nation and long-term entity; consequently, it considers Father Ly’s opposition to its dictatorship as against the state. The VCP has seriously violated Article 5 of Vietnam’s Constitution which states that “The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the unified State of all nationalities living on the territory of Vietnam”. In that sense, Father Ly has absolutely never violated Article 88 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code.
Vietnam Human Rights Network (VNHRN), therefore, totally denounces all sentences made by the VCP on 3-30-2007 against Father Ly and his associates, and believes the VCP has no legitimacy to be in power and to abuse its authority by oppressing people, instead of serving and protecting them.
VNHRN demands that the VCP immediately release Father Ly and his associates, together with all other prisoners of conscience currently in detention for their completely peaceful activities within the framework of Vietnam’s Constitution and International Law.
VNHRN calls on Vietnamese in and out of Vietnam, international human rights organizations, international mass media, democratic governments, and the U.N. to focus their attention and intervene directly to secure the release of Father Ly and all other prisoners of conscience currently held in Vietnam .
“Robert” N. Le President 1-4-2007
Vietnam Human Rights Network |