VIETNAM HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK

14550 Magnolia St., Suite 203, Westminster, CA 92683

Tel.: (858)837-2152; (714) 897-1950

 

 

 

Statement BY Vietnam Human Rights Network on new round of crackdown against dissidents in Vietnam

 

 

According to reliable news sources, a new round of crackdown against political dissidents and human rights defenders has been launched in Vietnam ahead of the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong’s memorandum recognizing China’s claims to Vietnam’s Spratly and Paracel islands on September 14, 1958.

 

After China’s announcement last November of placing the islands under the administration of a new government district, growing numbers of activists in Vietnam have held rallies to protest China’s claims.  Since September 14 is a day of shame for the Vietnamese Communists, Hanoi authorities are thought to be trying to prevent political dissidents and human rights activists from joining demonstrations claiming Vietnam’s sovereignty over these islands.

 

Among human rights activists arrested and detained by police in recent days are:

 

• Bloggers Dieu Cay Nguyen Van Hai,Vu Uyen and Quynh Vi;

• Human rights and democracy activists Do Nam Hai, Pham Van Troi, Pham Thanh Nghien, Nguyen Xuan Nghia, Nguyen Van Tuc, Vu Hung, Ngo Quynh, Tran Duc Thach,Thai Thanh Hai, Nguyen Duc Hung, Nguyen Thi Nhi, and Nguyen Thi Viet ;

• Land rights activists Lu Thi Thu Trang, Lu Thi Thu Duyen, and Hoang Kim Hoa.

 

Vietnam Human Rights Network strongly condemns all crackdowns and arrests of political dissidents and human rights activists, and demands that the Government of Vietnam respect its own Constitution and comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by duly granting Vietnamese citizens the right to enjoy freedoms of expression, assembly and association.

 

 

California, September 14, 2008

 

Nguyen Thanh Trang

President

 

 

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