LMDCVN Alliance for Democracy in Vietnam (ADV)

STATEMENT: Senator Ngo alarmed by prison terms handed down against three Vietnamese democracy activists for obstructing traffic

STATEMENT

The Honourable Thanh Hai Ngo, Senator

For Immediate Release

August 29th, 2014

Senator Thanh Hai Ngo today issued the following statement condemning the alarming prison sentences for three Vietnamese democracy activists for hindering traffic in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Tuesday, August 26, 2014.

“These pointless prison terms were handed down against three peaceful Vietnamese democracy activists for allegedly obstructing traffic as they rode their motorbikes to visit a former political prisoner in Dong Thap province.”

“I categorically condemn the convictions of Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh and Nguyen Van Minh who have been sentenced to 3 years, 2 years and 2 ½ years respectively. I also call on the Vietnamese Government to drop these politically motivated charges against these three activists and to release them immediately.”

“As a vigorous defender of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, I find these charges used to repress political freedom an extremely disturbing practice in Vietnam. Despite international warnings, the Vietnamese authorities continue to use public disorder laws to imprison dissidents for peacefully expressing their political views.”

“We cannot not simply stand idle while the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dung, calls upon his single-ruling Communist Party to crackdown on dissent. In wake of these escalating international human rights violations, the Government of Canada’s strong foreign policy on human rights would have to call a reassessment of its trade relationship and its development assistance with Vietnam.”

“It should not be unexpected if Vietnam’s deteriorating human rights situation hinders its economic opportunities with foreign investors and influences its Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.”

On the surface, it would appear that Vietnam is showing signs of improving its human rights record, as it opens up its economy to foreign investors and improves its standard of living. However, international observers continue to warn of human rights violations committed by the single-party regime, notably its suppression of expression, association and assembly.

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For more information:

613-943-1599

ngoth@sen.parl.gc.ca
www.senatorngo.com

Photo: A man uses his laptop to view a political cartoon on Facebook in Hanoi, March 28, 2014.

Authorities in Vietnam are moving to cripple the online voices of dissidents by blasting a deluge of reports on their Facebook pages accusing them of abusing the popular social network, triggering an automatic shutdown of their public pages and profiles, activists said.

Among the pages recently attacked by the ruling Communist Party’s Vietnam’s online army of “opinion shapers” were those of Vietnamese opposition reform party Viet Tan and dissident journal Patriot Diary, as well as those of well-known activist bloggers Me Nam, Co Gai Do Long, Nguyen Quang Lap, and Nguyen Lan Thang.  Continue reading →

Petitioning Facebook
to stop shutting down dissidents facebook pages based on fake reports from cyber trolls paid by Vietnamese government.

Petition by
Vietnam Path Movement

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Voice of Vietnamese Americans Applauds the Timely Pivot of the US Congress to Resolve the Tension in the Southeast Asia Sea

On July 10, in the Opening Remarks at the Fourth Annual CSIS South China Sea Conference, Dr. Hamre, President/ CEO of CSIS pointed out that South East Asia is important to the US National interest and national security. Congressman Rogers, Chair of the House Intelligent Committee, presented the decisive pivoting point in the US Congress’ Foreign Affairs policy: a resolute intolerance toward China’s violations of the rule of law. Congressman Rogers condemns China for its continuous escalation of provocative actions in the Southeast Asia Sea and the East Sea. On the same day, the US Senate passed the Senate Resolution 412. (https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-resolution/412/text). Voice of Vietnamese Americans applauds Dr. Hamre, Congressman Rogers, the US House and the US Senate for this timely pivot. “We need to be more direct, more aggressive” – Congressman Rogers

  STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA IN TORONTO

[LE TEXTE FRANÇAIS EST IMMÉDIATEMENT APRÈS LE TEXTE ANGLAIS]

Statement

Date: May 30, 2014
For immediate release

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA IN TORONTO

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today delivered the following remarks at the Tribute to Liberty Dinner in Toronto:

“Thank you very much.

“Thank you, Senator Ngo for that kind introduction, and thank you all, ladies and gentlemen, for that very warm welcome.

“Distinguished guests, colleagues from the Parliament of Canada, ladies and gentlemen.

“We know the reason why we’re gathered together this evening, but let me briefly share with you the how.

“In 2008, Tribute to Liberty approached our Government with an idea and a question.

“First, the idea: to help construct a monument in our Nation’s Capital that would honour for all time the hundreds of millions of men, women and children who have struggled and continue to struggle against the tyranny of communism, those who lived and those who, tragically, did not.

“And second: would our Government work with them in carrying out this vision.

“Now you already know our answer.

[Canadian Press: Harper goes on full-scale verbal attack against ‘evil’ communism].

Continue reading →