Viet Nam Human Rights
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Another prejudice against Vietnam’s democracy and human rights (Part 1)
Another prejudice against Vietnam’s democracy and human rights (Part 1)
3/5/17
“The Country Report on
Human Rights Practices for 2016” recently released by the US Department of
State continues to make wrongful judgements about Vietnam’s democracy and human
rights. It is still prejudiced against Vietnam’s democracy and human rights practices.
Like previous years,
the countries listed in the report have voiced protests agaist the US Report.
Some country has strongly opposed the Report with responded statements of the
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and shown evidences on the US
systematic violation of human rights; others have responded by keeping silence
which is also a way to protest the Report.
Though some of the
cases stipulated in the Report did exist, they were trivial ones, did not
represent the nature of Vietnam’s human rights practice. Many contents of the
Report related to Vietnam are erroneous, due to its prejudice and
discrimination against Vietnam. On March 13th 2017, Spokesperson of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam answered questions asked by reporters
relating to the Report: “Vietnam consistently advocates protecting and
promoting basic human rights of its people. The country’s efforts have been
acknowledged and highly valued by the international community. Vietnam is
always willing to discuss in a frank, open, and constructive manner with all
countries, including the US, any remaining differences. So far, Vietnam
and the US have held 20 rounds of annual bilateral dialogue on human rights.
The US State Department’s Human Rights Report for 2016 acknowledged some of
Vietnam’s achievements in human rights protection but still makes some
prejudiced remarks that do not reflect the real situation in the country. The
following points will help us understand more clearly.
First, the Report
criticized the Vietnam National Assembly for the delayed approval of several
laws; however, this is necessary. The reason for this delay is that there
remain errors in both details and contents of the laws. That clearly proves the
responsibility of the NA deputies.
As for the Law on
Associations, deputies and the press have pointed out its errors. Moreover,
there remain different views on articles of the Draft Law on Associations, i.e.
the prohibition on receiving foreign aid, and several other contents. As for
the Penal Code, Vice Chairman of Judicial Affairs Committee of the National
Assembly Nguyen Van Luat revealed that “The Penal Code 2015 got technical
mistakes. If it is enacted, it may lead to cases of unjust judgements”.
The Human Right Report
for 2016 showed that the U.S. deliberately “ignored” the Vietnam National
Assembly’s efforts to protect rights of the people, including the passing of
the Law on Belief and Religion (2016). The law has expanded the subjects
enjoying the right (it covers all citizens, not only Vietnamese citizens). It
has limited complicated formalities when religious organizations practise their
rituals. The Law on Belief and Religion (2016) had one chapter for the right to
freedom of belief and religion. It stipulates that the right to freedom of
belief and religion is recognized, respected, ensured and protected under the
Constitution and law by the Vietnam Government. It also specifies basic
principles of the right to freedom of belief and religion, rights and
obligations of belief and religion followers and religious organizations.
Second, the Report
stated that “Vietnam tightly controls and censors the press and the Internet”.
This evaluation follows an old path and repeats existed bias. The freedom of
speech, press and Internet in Vietnam and other countries must satisfy
the two requirements: ensuring the right of speech and press of the people and
preventing the activities taking advantage of this right to violate the rights
and the benefits of the State and the society. That is also stipulated in many
international conventions on human rights. Article 19 of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states: “1. Everyone shall have the
right to hold opinions without interference. 2. Everyone shall have the right
to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either
orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media
of his choice. 3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of
this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may
therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as
are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or
reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public
order (ordre public), or of public health or morals”.
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All comments [ 5 ]
Some domestic elements and overseas reactionary organisations are acting against the Party, the State and the socialist regime in Vietnam under the label of “democracy” and “human rights”.
This label is supported by some hostile overseas forces. It is necessary to unmask, criticise and fight against this wrong move in a timely fashion to make everyone see their true colours and evil nature.
These people have had obvious, systematic and opportunist political views and nurtured a big political ambition.
Some of them adopt the cloak of religion, some are political malcontents, dissatisfied and wavering, while some others have vague understanding, cannot distinguish between right and wrong, and are incited and misguided in the wrong way.
Their final goal is to weaken the Communist Party of Vietnam toward the elimination of the Party leadership of the society.
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