Author Archives: Ban Thông Tin

Crackdown of Democracy Activists in Vietnam

Statement
The Honourable Senator Thanh Hai Ngo

December 17, 2015
For immediate release

Statement by Senator Thanh Hai Ngo on the

Ongoing Crackdown of Democracy Activists in Vietnam

Ottawa, December 17, 2015 – Today Senator Thanh Hai Ngo issued the following statement:

“I am very concerned that the Vietnamese police placed human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai into custody on December 16, 2015, and charged him under Article 88 of the Penal Code for “conducting propaganda against the state of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.” Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security presented these accusations against him while revoking his legal licence and searching his private residence. These charges were laid soon after he and colleagues were brutally assaulted for delivering a small workshop on human rights.

“The Vietnamese authorities should immediately release Nguyen Van Dai and drop these charges against him. The arrest of this well-known journalist and founder of the Committee for Human Rights known for his online criticism of communist leadership and policies in Vietnam is the latest incident in an alarming crackdown on government critics. Close to 130 other political prisoners, such as Father Nguyen Van Ly, Mr. Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Ms. Do Thi Minh Anh, Mr. Nguyen Quang Lap, Mr. Doan Huy Chuong and Ms. Bui Thi Minh Hang, are also serving harsh prison sentences for simply voicing their opinions in Vietnam.

“This unacceptable crackdown on dissent and the direct public targeting of human rights activists for the so-called offence of ‘spreading propaganda against the communist state’ is occurring as the ruling Communist Party prepares for its momentous 12th National Congress next month, when it is expected to reshuffle its top three positions and make important changes to its foreign policy.

“Human rights issues are not to be downplayed by Canada, which cannot remain silent as intimidation and violence against bloggers and rights activists worsened significantly during 2015.

“As the Government of Canada engages closely with Vietnam through trade pacts, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, it absolutely must stand as a true human rights champion and show leadership in human rights protection and the promotion of democracy by guiding the communist one-party nation down a path of reform and towards a free and democratic Vietnam.”

 -30-

For more information on the human rights situation in Vietnam please consult:

–        Our annual Human Rights Report: http://senatorngo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/FINAL-English-HR-Booklet.compressed.pdf

–        Official website: www.senatorngo.ca

Continue reading →

2015-12-17 Tin Tức Tuần Qua

Canada: Statement by Senator Thanh Hai Ngo on the Release of Musician Viet Khang

Statement

The Honourable Senator Thanh Hai Ngo

December 16, 2015

For immediate release

Statement by Senator Thanh Hai Ngo on the Release of Musician Viet Khang

Ottawa, December 16, 2015 – Today Senator Thanh Hai Ngo issued the following statement:

“On Monday, December 14, 2015, musician Minh Tri Vo, also known as Viet Khang, was discharged from prison after serving four years for writing and posting two famous songs: “Where is my Vietnam?” and “Who are you?”

“I congratulate the Vietnamese authorities for listening to the call of the international community asking for the release of Minh Tri Vo from prison. However, the Vietnamese authorities should also immediately secure his full pardon and cancel the two years of house arrest left in his sentence.”

“The same full amnesty should also be granted to songwriter Tran Anh Binh, Father Nguyen Van Ly, Mr. Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Ms. Do Thi Minh Anh, Mr. Nguyen Quang Lap, Mr. Doan Huy Chuong and Ms. Bui Thi Minh Hang, who have also been sentenced to prison for voicing their opinion.

“Vietnam must cease to suppress freedom of expression online, in print and through public demonstrations. The state enacted Decree 174 to institute harsh new penalties for certain types of speech in blogs and social media, expanding upon government powers to censor Internet and social media usage in place under a previous decree. Since its enactment many high profile Internet writers and bloggers have been arrested, while the trials of other prominent activists proceeded despite international pressure for their release.

“Freedom House, an independent organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world, rates Vietnam as ‘not free’, giving the country an overall freedom rating of 6 (with 7 being the worst), a civil liberties rating of 5 and a political rights rating of 7.”

-30-

For more information on the human rights situation in Vietnam please consult:

– Our annual Human Rights Report:  http://goo.gl/CYqfkI
– Official website: www.senatorngo.ca

 

Senator Thanh Hai Ngo’s Office

ThanhHai.Ngo@sen.parl.gc.ca
613-943-1599

French Continue reading →

Canada: Thượng Nghị sĩ Ngô Thanh Hải phản đối bản án ‘khắc nghiệt’ dành cho em Nguyễn Mai Trung Tuấn

Courtesy fvpoc.org

Courtesy fvpoc.org

VNTB – Trong tuyên bố, ông nghị sĩ gốc Việt đã bày tỏ sự “lo ngại sâu sắc” đối với việc bắt giữ và bản tuyên án của Tòa án nhân dân huyện Thạnh Hóa (Long An). Đồng thời, có nhắc lại nguyên nhân của vụ án chính là sự tịch thu và bồi thường đất nông nghiệp không xác với giá thị trường. Continue reading →