Cung Chúc Tân Xuân - Happy Lunar New Year

NgocAnhLe: Nhân dịp xuân về, Tiếng Nói Vì Dân xin kính chúc Quý độc giả ở quê nhà cũng như khắp nơi trên thế giới một cái Tết đầm ấm an vui, một năm Ất Mùi được vạn sự an lành. Chúc cho mọi người ai cũng hưởng được sự công bằng ở quê nhà trong một nền dân chủ mới. Chúc cho giấc mơ nhân quyền sớm tái ngộ cùng người Việt Nam trên đất nước mình. Chúc cho các ngòi bút vẫn bền bỉ đấu tranh cho tự do Việt Nam.

On this happy Lunar New Year occasion, "Tieng Noi Vi Dan" would like to wish all of the Readers at the home country as well as at all around the world a cosy and joyful Lunar "Tet", an "At Mui" year full of well-being. Wishing for everyone in the home country all having the fairness under a new democracy system. Wishing for dream of "human rights" soon come back to them on the country. Wishing for the bloggers who still enduringly struggle for the freedom of Vietnam.

NgocAnhLe
Blog Author

Victoria: Chương trình sinh hoạt 40 năm người Việt định cư ở Úc 1975-2015

NgocAnhLe - Cộng đồng người Việt tỵ nạn Úc châu 40 năm được cưu mang trên xứ người với những kỷ niệm đẹp và đáng nhớ. Lúc đầu mới qua tuy nhiều gian nan, nhưng được đỡ nâng từ nhiều bàn tay nhân ái của một nước tự do dân chủ cộng thêm sự nỗ lực của chính mình, cộng đồng người Việt tỵ nạn đã hội nhập một cách vững vàng và đóng góp vai trò quan trọng trong xã hội đa văn hoá nước Úc. 

40 năm nhìn lại trước là để nói lời cám ơn đất nước đã chở che mình, tích cực tham gia vào cộng đồng chính mạch và góp phần đa dạng hóa về văn hóa, xã hội và kinh tế. Cộng Đồng Người Việt Tự Do Tiểu Bang Victoria có những hoạt động trong năm 2015 như sau:

----ooo---

Community of Vietnamese refugees in Australia, 40 years ago being protected by this land, have got with beautiful and memorable memories. Although difficulties are there at the beginning, they were supported from many benevolent hands of this free democratic country, in addition from the efforts of their own, Vietnamese community have steadily integrated and contributed important roles in this multicultural society of Australia. 

Looking back 40 years ago to say thanks to this protected country, actively involving in the mainstream community and contributing to its diversification of cultural , society and economy, the Vietnamese Community Victoria has planed to operate their activities in 2015 as follows:

Vietnam: Pervasive Deaths, Injuries in Police Custody

Picture: The family of Trinh Xuan Tung (his mother Nguyen Thi Cuc, his wife Nguyen Thi Mien, and his two daughters Trinh Kim Tien and Trinh Cam Tu) outside the court on July 17, 2012, waiting to attend appellate proceedings in the trial of former Col. Nguyen Van Ninh, convicted of causing Trinh Xuan Tung’s death. The poster features a picture of the perpetrator and slogans calling on authorities to impose a longer prison term.

Urgent Need to End Abuses, Ensure Justice for Victims

Theo HRW - 

Police severely abused people in custody in every region of Vietnam. The Vietnam government has a human rights crisis on its hands and should investigate and start holding abusive police accountable. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director

(Bangkok) – Police throughout Vietnam abuse people in their custody, in some cases leading to death, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Vietnamese government should take immediate action to end suspicious deaths in custody and torture of detainees by police, Human Rights Watch said.

Vietnam: Stop Using Absurd Laws to Imprison Critics

Nguyen Quang Lap during an anti-China protest in Ho Chi
Minh City, Vietnam, in May 2014. 

Theo HRW - 

Top Bloggers Arrested and Charged for ‘Abusing Freedom and Democracy’

Efforts to silence bloggers make a mockery of Vietnam’s commitments to the United Nations when it stood for election to the Human Rights Council. The Vietnamese government looks like little more than a bully at home and abroad when it persecutes people who do nothing more than express their opinions. Brad Adams, Asia director

(New York) – Vietnam should drop all charges and immediately release bloggers Nguyen Quang Lap and Hong Le Tho, who were arrested for operating independent blogs, Human Rights Watch said today.

Nguyen Quang Lap was arrested on December 6, 2014, and Hong Le Tho was arrested on November 29 in Ho Chi Minh City. Both were charged with “abusing freedom and democracy to infringe upon the interests of the state” under article 258 of the penal code. In 2014, Vietnam has used article 258 to convict at least 10 rights advocates and arrest 4 bloggers.

Vietnam: Plainclothes Agents Target Rights Campaigners

Mennonite Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang in the 

hospital after being assaulted by anonymous 

thugs. ©2015 VRNs

Theo HRW - 

Bloggers Assaulted for Visiting Fellow Activist

“The Vietnamese government has some serious questions to answer. Is it now government policy to have police travel with thugs to punish people who don’t immediately follow their orders?” Brad Adams, Asia director

(New York) – The Vietnamese authorities should immediately stop using violence against human rights campaigners, Human Rights Watch said today. In January 2015, leading bloggers were targeted by plainclothes agents and beaten. The attacks violated basic rights and that all involved in the assaults against bloggers and rights activists should be held accountable for their acts of violence, intimidation, and harassment.

“The Vietnamese government has some serious questions to answer,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “Is it now government policy to have police travel with thugs to punish people who don’t immediately follow their orders?”

On January 21, a group of 12 bloggers and rights activists went from Hanoi to Thai Binh province to visit Tran Anh Kim, a political prisoner who was released on January 7 after completing five years and six months in prison for alleged affiliation with a political party banned by the authorities. The visitors included geophysicist Nguyen Thanh Giang; film artist Nguyen Thi Kim Chi; former editor Nguyen Le Hung; former political prisoner Nguyen Vu Binh; bloggers Nguyen Tuong Thuy and JB Nguyen Huu Vinh; and rights activists Tran Thi Nga, Truong Minh Tam, Truong Van Dung, Nguyen Thanh Ha, Bach Hong Quyen, and Ngo Duy Quyen.

Vietnam: Tight Control of Critics, Democracy Advocates in 2014

Eight Vietnamese bloggers and activists imprisoned for exercising basic rights. Clockwise from upper left: bloggers Nguyen Quang Lap (© 2014 Private), Ta Phong Tan (© Ta Phong Tan), Tran Huynh Duy Thuc (© Tran Huynh Duy Thuc & family), Ho Thi Bich Khuong (© Ho Thi Bich Khuong), religious activists Nguyen Van Lia (© private), Mai Thi Dung (© Mai Thi Dung & family), Dang Xuan Dieu (© Thanh nien Cong giao); and Father Nguyen Van Ly (© 2010 Reuters).

No Light at the End of the Tunnel for Activists

Theo HRW - 

(New York) – The human rights situation in Vietnamin 2014 continued to be characterized by one-party rule, politically motivated convictions, lack of labor rights, widespread police abuse, and an escalating land crisis, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2015. The Vietnamese government kept tight control over freedom of expression and association as bloggers, human rights defenders, labor and land rights activists, and religious and democracy advocates continued to face harassment, intimidation, physical assault, and imprisonment.

Jasmine Tran - Vietnamese police beat citizens visiting prisoner of conscience Trần Anh Kim

Two security police officers lead the attack

Theo Danlambao - 

At around 10:30am on 21 January 2015, Vietnamese police officers furiously attacked a dozen people visiting Trần Anh Kim. Kim, a dissident and fighter for human rights, and a former Lieutenant Colonel of the Vietnamese People’s Army, was recently released from jail and is currently under house arrest.

Nguyễn Hoàng Vi and family continue to be harassed by Vietnamese Communist security police

Hoàng Vi, carrying the infant, enacts a sit-down strike on the street to object to the human rights abuses of the Vietnamese Communist Government.

Theo Danlambao - 

Vietnamese security police continued to harass blogger Nguyễn Hoàng Vi and her family, obstructing their freedom of movement. They have imposed similar tactics on many other human rights dissidents in Saigon; Communist security police are stationed in front of houses, to block residents from leaving.

Letter from a father: Demand the Vietnamese Authority to review dead penalty for my son Nguyen Van Chuong

Theo Danlambao - 

My name is Nguyen Truong Chinh, born in 1945, I am currently residing at Hamlet 1 Binh Dan Village, Kim Thanh, Hai Duong Province. My telephone number is 01626627673 (+84 1626627673). I am writing this letter in desperation, asking you for help by calling on the Vietnamese Government to review my son's - Nguyen Van Chuong - case. 

Having a son on dead penalty and soon to be executed, like many normal parents, we could not described the pains and heart aches we have endured in the last 8 years to see my son was unjustly put in jail and was constantly tortured for the crime he did not commit. 

Google Doodle: The 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Vietnamese police obstruct, assault journalist Trương Minh Đức

Journalist Trương Minh Đức was tracked and savagely beaten by police

Theo Danlambao - 

Translated by Jasmine Tran - At 8:30pm on 2 November 2014, a group of police abruptly obstructed freelance journalist Trương Minh Đức, at Ngã 3 Suối Giữa, on Highway 13 Bình Dương. He was then cruelly beaten.

At least 8 police were involved in the near-fatal assault. Helmets were used as weapons; the journalist's head had been repeatedly bashed. He was brutally punched and kicked. It is possible some of his ribs are broken as a result of the attack. 

AP Interview: Dissident forced to leave Vietnam

Nguyen Van Hai, one of Vietnam's most prominent dissidents, speaks to the Associated Press on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 in Los Angeles after being released from prison and flown to the United States. Hai, who is known as Dieu Cay, was serving a 12-year prison term on charges of spreading "propaganda against the state" through his blogging and citizen media activities.Richard Vogel/AP Photo 

By DAISY NGUYEN Associated Press -  

LOS ANGELES - One of Vietnam's most prominent dissidents said he was asked to sign a form seeking a pardon for spreading "propaganda against the state" before his release from prison last week, then forced onto a U.S.-bound flight with just the clothes on his body.

Nguyen Van Hai, who blogged under the name Dieu Cay, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he refused to sign the document because he didn't believe he had committed a crime.

He said authorities gave him no option but to leave for the United States.

"They rushed me directly from the jail to (Hanoi's) Noi Bai International Airport and escorted me onto the airplane. They didn't allow me to see my family before my departure. So we can't say they released me. If they had given me back my freedom, I could have gone back home instead of going directly to the airport without seeing my family and my friends." 

Interview Free Journalist Nguyễn Văn Hải (Nick Điếu Cày) forced to be in exile in the US by the Vietnamese communist party

Translated and subtitled by Hung Nguyen

Theo Danlambao - 

One of the most famous prisoners of conscience in Vietnam: blogger with the nick "Điếu Cày" Nguyễn Văn Hải. He had been imprisoned by the Vietnamese communist government and has just been forced to leave the country to live in exile in the US.

On 21/10/2014, blogger Nguyển Văn Hải -Điếu Cày- the founder of The (Vietnamese) Free Journalist Club was greeted by hundreds of Vietnamese communist refugees as a hero when he arrived at LA airport and set foot in the US. After a few days resting to recoup and to sort out some personal matters. Mr Điếu Cày gave an interview conducted by a member of Dan Lam Bao Internet News to retrace the path he had gone through and also share his goals in the struggle against the Vietnamese communists in the coming days.

A statement of support for the civil disobedience campaign conducted by the students and people of Hong Kong.

Theo Danlambao - 
To the people of Hong Kong and the people of Vietnam everywhere,

In the past two weeks, the peaceful protest against the Chinese government for denying Hong Kong the right to autonomy have sent a shock wave around the world and have attracted mostly support and admiration. This is the peak of a long struggle since Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, and since 2012 when Beijing gradually going back on the promise to allow Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy with real democracy within 50 years. Apart from widening the gap between rich and poor which makes life difficult for the people of Hong Kong, the Chinese government also wants to take away the people’s right to nominate and to vote for their representatives, and to poison the youth with a brain-washing education.

Undercover in Vietnam: Bloggers play risky game of cat-and-mouse to report

An anti-China protest in Vietnam in May. Bloggers who cover rallies risk being
imprisoned under anti-state charges. (AFP/VNExpress)

By Shawn W. Crispin/Southeast Asia Representative                                               

In the first of a four-part "Undercover in Vietnam" series on press freedom in Vietnam, CPJ Southeast Asia Representative Shawn Crispin explores the risks bloggers take so they can cover news events and protests. Under near-constant surveillance and with the threat of arbitrary detention hanging over them, the desire for an independent press drives Vietnam's bloggers to continue to write. In part two, to be published Friday, Crispin reveals the persecution faced by Redemptorist News journalists. Parts three and four will be published next week.

Vietnam Committee denounces impediments to the visit of UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to Vietnam

 - GENEVA, 16 September 2014 (VIETNAM COMMITTEE) – Speaking at the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva jointly withActing together for Human Rights (Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme), Mr. Vo Van Ai, President of the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR) denounced impediments to the recent visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion, Mr. Heiner Bielefeldt (from 21-31 July 2014), in particular those caused by the Vietnamese authorities themselves.

In his preliminary remarks on concluding his visit, Mr. Bielefeldt said that many of his meetings had been “interrupted” because people he wanted to meet had been threatened, intimidated or harassed. He was constantly followed by “undeclared security or police agents” who violated the confidentiality of many private meetings, obliging him to cut them short. The UN Special Rapporteur said Vietnam had violated the terms of reference of in situ visits. He added that no-one should suffer reprisals because of meeting him, and told the Vietnamese authorities that he would closely monitor the situation of all those he met to ensure that this was respected. In brief, he concluded, “grave violations of freedom of religion or belief are a reality in Vietnam”.

Alert: Activist Truong Minh Duc attacked by security agents

CTV Danlambao - Translated by Như Ngọc -Danlambao - The activist and freelance journalist Truong Minh Duc is allegedly assaulted by a dozen of plainclothes police in a brutal attack around 2 p.m. on Sept. 08, 2014, at Kham Thien, Dong Da district in Hanoi, while taking a taxi with Do Thi Minh Hanh, Truong Van Dung, and Tran Thi Nga heading to the Public Security Headquarters to find out why Hanh was banned from leaving the country to visit her ailing mother in Austria.

Along the way, the activists had been closely chased by plainclothes security agents. When their taxi arrived at Kham Thien, a motorbike suddenly cut it off forcing it to stop, then a dozen of men rushed in to carry out the terror attack. The men dragged the taxi driver and Duc from the front passenger seat out of the taxi and brutally beat him. Duc collapsed on the street but the men reportedly continued to kick him, inflicting head and major injuries on his body.

Vietnam jails bloggers so much it rivals China ...

A policeman, flanked of local militia members, tries to stop a foreign journalist from taking pictures outside the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court on August 10, 2011 where Pham Minh Hoang, a French-Vietnamese lecturer and blogger was standing trial. (Ian Timberlake/AFP/Getty Images)

Vietnam jails bloggers so much it rivals China ...
… and yet they keep speaking out.

Aija Salovaara - 04.09.2014 -  HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — Endless lines of scooters zoom along avenues crowded with cars and trucks. Street vendors bustle around their stalls. It’s a regular, sunny morning in Vietnam’s largest city.

But in a quiet corner of a Starbucks where friends chat over lattes, a handful of men and women sit in a circle, grousing about their government.

“We came here since it is an international chain,” says 30-something blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh. “If we would meet in a local bar, the police would immediately shut it down to prevent us from having the meeting.”

In Vietnam, where the Communist Party is the sole legal political group, authorities strictly control the media. But the internet — and social media in particular — have sparked a peaceful explosion in dissident activity.

Đỗ Thị Minh Hạnh taken by Noi Bai Airport police whilst checking in to visit sick mother

Danlambao - Translated by Jasmine Tran - On 3 September 2014, at around 8am, labour activist Đỗ Thị Minh Hạnh was detained at Noibai Airport whilst she was checking in to fly to Austria to visit her very ill mother. Police confiscated her passport and prohibited her from leaving the country.

Hạnh had acquired a visa to stay in Austria, from September 3 to October 18. The Austrian government approved her visa for humanitarian reasons. Hạnh had recently reclaimed her passport (that is still valid) in Trà Vinh. The visit had been planned a month prior. Hạnh went to Hanoi a few days before the flight but did not visit any friends; she was worried that visits could bring troubles to her trip.

We Want To Know

MLBVN -  02.09.2014 - Freedom of speech is closely related to free access to information. Every citizen has the right to access information from the State such as national policies, activities of politicians, and/or the operation of the ruling party in all fields: education, environment, health, and social security to national sovereignty. It is one of the most basic rights of the people. 

To provide accurate information, transparency and accountability is the duty of the State. 

On the other hand, the right to access information from the State helps the people to assimilate, evaluate, voice criticism or support. This is the fundamental element of democracy. Ignoring that basic right only exists in anti-democratic and dictatorial regimes.

Have you ever asked the question: do the people have the right to know the terms, the signing of treaties that involve national sovereignty or not?