Defenders’ Weekly | Jan 11, 2015
***********5/1/2014***********
Police in Southwestern region Concerned about Debut of Management Board of Orthodox Hòa Hảo Buddhist Church
On Jan 02, the Orthodox Hòa Hảo Buddhist Church planned to hold a ceremony for debut of its Management board for the 2015-2018 period, however, authorities in the southwestern provinces ordered local police to bar followers from gathering.
In response, Elder Le Quang Liem of the Orthodox Hòa Hảo Buddhist Church issued a letter to protest the move of the authorities, saying this violates the rights to freedom of religious and the rights of assembly enshrined in the country’s Constitution.
VRNs: Công an Miền Tây lo sợ GHPGHHTT ra mắt Ban trị sự mới
*****************6/1/2014*****************
Political Prisoners Ta Phong Tan and Nguyen Dang Minh Man Hold Hunger Strike
Political Prisoners Ta Phong Tan and Nguyen Dang Minh Man are conducting hunger strike to protest solitary imprisonment the prison authorities impose over them.
Ms. Tan has been conducting hunger strike since Dec 22 after she was placed in a solitary cell for all days, informed Ta Minh Tu, a sister of Tan who visited her on Jan 5.
Tan was sentenced to 12 years in prison for criticizing the government. Currently she is held in Prison No. 5 in the central province of Thanh Hoa.
Ms. Man, another government critic who is also held in the same prison, also conducts a hunger strike for the 15th consecutive day for the same reason.
The prison authorities hold other prisoners of consciences namely Ho Thi Bich Khuong, Nguyen Thi Loc and Can Thi Theu in solitary cells.
Vietnam’s communist government holds political prisoners under hard conditions, said former prisoners.
VRNs: Blogger Tạ Phong Tần và Nguyễn Đặng Minh Mẫn bị biệt giam và tuyệt thực đến ngày thứ 15
=================
Lawyers Seek to Meet Death-sentenced Ho Duy Hai
Lawyers who represent death-sentenced Ho Duy Hai have sent their letters to the Chief Judge of Vietnam’s People’s Supreme Court, the Chief of the People’s Procuracy and other related state agencies to ask approval for meeting with Hai and prepare his defense.
Hai, who complained that he was unfairly sentenced to death for killing two female post staff, is still under threat to be executed after President Truong Tan Sang ordered one-month suspension for review his case.
The suspension ended on Jan 4 but his family received any information about him.
VRNs: Các Luật sư kiến nghị được thăm gặp Hồ Duy Hải
************7/1/2014*************
Domestic Civil Societies and Abroad Call Vietnam to Remove Capital Punishment
Representatives of 12 domestic and foreign-based Vietnamese civil societies have signed on a petition calling Vietnam not to use death penalty.
Particularly, they urged the communist government not to impose death sentences for Ho Duy Hai and Nguyen Van Chuong as well as to amend the country’s Criminal Code.
DTD: Các Tổ Chức XHDS Trong Và Ngoài Nước Kêu Gọi Việt Nam Bãi Bỏ Án Tử Hình
=================
Vietnam Holds 106 Prisoners of Conscience: FVPoC
Vietnam is holding 106 political prisoners, according to the Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience (FVPoC).
These prisoners are imprisoned for anti-state activities under Articles 88, 245, 257 and 258 in the Criminal Code, the FVPoC said.
Recently, the number of imprisoned land petitioners has been risen, the FVPoC said, adding the communist government has used Article 245- “conducting social disorders” and Article 257- conducting activities against on-duty state officials” to jail farmers who have peacefully sought to retake their land which had been illegally seized by local authorities.
CTNLT: HỘI CTNLT: VN HIỆN ĐANG GIAM GIỮ 106 TÙ NHÂN LƯƠNG TÂM
==================
Vietnamese Women for Human Rights Release New Year Declaration
The unsanctioned Vietnamese Women for Human Rights (VNWHR) has issued its working plan for 2015 which aims to protect the freedom and dignity of Vietnamese women.
The VNWHR strives to support women who are assaulted by authorities for demanding justice and for voicing opposing viewpoints.
It set several specific goals for 2015:
- Submitting reports to international human rights organizations and helping victims seek financial support whenever required
- Looking after the mothers, wives and daughters of prisoners of conscience by maintaining regular contact to promote understanding and to share experiences on how to deal with oppression
- Visiting abused women to gather information on their cases and publicizing their plights in media
- Sharing operational experience and how to deal with violent, oppressive tactics conducted by authorities and help them understand human rights via direct talks and printed materials DTD: Bản Tuyên bố đầu năm của Hội Phụ nữ Nhân quyền VN
**************8/1/2015**************
Political Dissident Tran Anh Kim Returns Home After 66 Months in Prison
On Jan 7, pro-democracy activist Tran Anh Kim, who is former lieutenant of the Vietnam People’s Army, completed his 66-month imprisonment.
Mr. Kim was arrested in July 2009 and chased for attempts of overthrowing the people’s government under Article 79 of the Criminal Code. Later, he was sentenced to 5 years and half in jail.
He was an army officer with lieutenant rank and held deputy head of the military political department of Thai Binh town before 1990s.
During 1995-2005, he participated in a number of groups which promote multi-party democracy, including the 8406 Bloc.
He assisted farmers whose land was illegally seized by local authorities in seeking justice, and participated in anti-corruption campaign.
RFA: Tù nhân chính trị, cựu trung tá Trần Anh Kim mãn hạn tù
=====================
Land Petitioner Lu Thi Thu Van Says She Was Beaten Severely by HCM City Police
Lu Thi Thu Van, whose land was illegally seized by local authorities, has said she was severely beaten by Ho Chi Minh City police on Jan 1 when she met with other land petitioners in a park in the city’s center.
Van said she got serious injury in her face caused by policemen who threatened her.
On the first day of this year, Van and other land petitioners from Tien Giang and HCM City gathered in the park where they hang banners demanding the government to return land.
Police came to disperse the gathering and detained Van and other people to police stations where policemen beat them.
Radiochantroimoi: Dân oan Lư Thị Thu Vân tố cáo bị công an Sài Gòn bắt giữ, đánh đập dã man
*************9/1/2015************
Civil Societies Urge Vietnam to Drop Death Penalty
As many as 21 domestic civil societies and 21 foreign-based organizations have signed a joint petition urging Vietnam’s government to drop death sentences.
In their petition, they request the authorities in Vietnam to immediately stop carrying out any death sentence that has been declared, and abolishing capital punishment for such crime as drug trafficking, printing counterfeit money (among the 22 offenses) and to quickly amend the Criminal Code to ban completely the “death”penalty.
Recently, public has raised concerns over planned execution of Hai Duong province-based Nguyen Van Chuong and Long An province-based Ho Duy Hai who have complained of being tortured by police investigators during interrogation and tried unfairly.
Many Vietnamese have voiced online asking Vietnam to review these cases. As a result, President Truong Tan Sang ordered suspension of death sentences for further review.
According to the Vietnam Network of Human Rights, there are over 700 death-sentenced people waiting for execution. In 2014, around 50 were executed.
RFA: Kháng thư phản đối án tử hình tại Việt Nam
=======================
Civil Societies Send Their Joint Report on Vietnam’s Human Rights Violations to ASEAN Civil Societies Meeting
As many as 19 Vietnamese civil societies sent their joint report on Vietnam’s suppression and human rights violations to ASEAN Civil Societies Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
In the report they have asked the ASEAN Civil Societies Meeting to voice and demand Vietnam’s government to respect freedom of expression, freedom of press, freedom of movement both in the country and abroad, and rights to own land.
The communist-ruled Vietnam must drop controversial laws and articles such as Article 79, 88, 87, 258, 245 and 257 in the Criminal Code, they said.
They also said the Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID), the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation (VPDF) and CRSCH which attend the meeting in Kuala Lumper are not civil societies but state-run. These organizations are funded by the Vietnamese government while their leaders are communist members.
RFA: Các tổ chức XHDSVN gởi kiến nghị đến Hội nghị XHDS ASEAN 2015
************10/1/2015***********
Authorities in HCM City Strives to demolish Lien Tri Pagoda
Authorities in District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City continues their pressure to force religious facilities in Thu Thiem to remove out of the peninsula.
Venerable monk Thich Khong Tanh, chief of Lien Tri Pagoda and a member of the Vietnam Inter-religion Council, informed that the local authorities came to request the pagoda’s leadership to remove.
The authorities declared that no religious facility will remain in Thu Thiem, he added.
Venerable Tanh has sent a petition to President Truong Tan Sang and other state leaders asking them to respect freedom of religions and protect religious facilities in Thu Thiem.
HCM City plans to use Thu Thiem to build new urban areas.
VRNs: Nhà cầm quyền Quận 2 gây sức ép phá hủy Chùa Liên Trì
====================
Secondary School Student in HCM City Dies after Beaten by Teacher
On Jan 6, Le Thi Phuoc Hai, a secondary school student in Ho Chi Minh City died after being beaten by a class teacher.
Her parents said they have informed the school management board and her friends that Hai had mental disorder and needed to be treated carefully. However, the female teacher ignored the fact, still punished her with violence which led to her death.
Mrs. Khai Hoan, the mother, said her family will not ask for crime responsibility of the teacher. However, the family requested the Ministry of Education and Training to have proper methods to deal with teachers’ violent behavior against students.
VOA: Một học sinh lớp 6 thiệt mạng sau khi bị cô giáo đánh
=================
Just Released from Prison, Political Activist Says to Continue to Fight for Democracy
Political dissident Tran Anh Kim, who completed his 66-month imprisonment last week, has declared that he will continue his fight for democracy and freedom.
Speaking at an interview to BBC, Mr. Kim said he will fight for the country’s multi-party democracy which is basic for the nation’s prosperity.
Mr. Kim was arrested in July 2009 and chased for attempts of overthrowing the people’s government under Article 79 of the Criminal Code. Later, he was sentenced to 5 years and half in jail.
He was an army officer with lieutenant rank and held deputy head of the military political department of Thai Binh town before 1990s.
During 1995-2005, he participated in a number of groups which promote multi-party democracy, including the 8406 Bloc.
He assisted farmers whose land was illegally seized by local authorities in seeking justice, and participated in anti-corruption campaign.
BBC: Ông Trần Anh Kim ra tù
DTD: Mừng đón Trần Anh Kim ra tù
**********11/1/2015************
Nghe An Province-based Activist Thanks for Support during His Imprisonment
Former political prisoner Tran Huu Duc from the central province of Nghe An has expressed his thankfulness for supports of other activists during his imprisonment.
He recently completed his sentence which he received for his activities to promote multi-party democracy in Vietnam.
FVPOC: Nghệ An: Cựu TNLT Trần Hữu Đức gửi lời cám ơn
===============
Activists Should Take Exercise during Imprisonment to Improve Health
Those activists who are jailed should regularly take physical exercises to improve health in order to be fit for fighting after complete sentences, said political dissident Tran Anh Kim, who completed his 66-month imprisonment last week.
During imprisonment, activists should also learn other skills for fighting when being released, he said.
Prisoners should obey prison’s rules in order to avoid any troubles, he added.
During the imprisonment, he gained respects from prison’s staff, he said.
RFA: Lao tù có thể “cải tạo” người bất đồng chính kiến hay không?
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January 12, 2015
Vietnam Human Rights Defenders’ Weekly Jan 5-11, 2015: Political Dissident Tran Anh Kim Completes His 66-month Imprisonment
by Nhan Quyen • [Human Rights], DEFENDER’S WEEKLY
Defenders’ Weekly | Jan 11, 2015
On Jan 7, pro-democracy activist Tran Anh Kim, who is former lieutenant of the Vietnam People’s Army, completed his 66-month imprisonment.
Two female political prisoners Ta Phong Tan and Nguyen Dang Minh Man are conducting hunger strike to protest solitary imprisonment the prison authorities impose over them.
On Jan 6, Le Thi Phuoc Hai, a secondary school student in Ho Chi Minh City died after being beaten by a class teacher.
19 civil societies sent their report on Vietnam’s suppression and human rights violations to ASEAN Civil Societies Meeting.
And many other news deserved to pay attention.
***********5/1/2014***********
Police in Southwestern region Concerned about Debut of Management Board of Orthodox Hòa Hảo Buddhist Church
On Jan 02, the Orthodox Hòa Hảo Buddhist Church planned to hold a ceremony for debut of its Management board for the 2015-2018 period, however, authorities in the southwestern provinces ordered local police to bar followers from gathering.
In response, Elder Le Quang Liem of the Orthodox Hòa Hảo Buddhist Church issued a letter to protest the move of the authorities, saying this violates the rights to freedom of religious and the rights of assembly enshrined in the country’s Constitution.
VRNs: Công an Miền Tây lo sợ GHPGHHTT ra mắt Ban trị sự mới
*****************6/1/2014*****************
Political Prisoners Ta Phong Tan and Nguyen Dang Minh Man Hold Hunger Strike
Political Prisoners Ta Phong Tan and Nguyen Dang Minh Man are conducting hunger strike to protest solitary imprisonment the prison authorities impose over them.
Ms. Tan has been conducting hunger strike since Dec 22 after she was placed in a solitary cell for all days, informed Ta Minh Tu, a sister of Tan who visited her on Jan 5.
Tan was sentenced to 12 years in prison for criticizing the government. Currently she is held in Prison No. 5 in the central province of Thanh Hoa.
Ms. Man, another government critic who is also held in the same prison, also conducts a hunger strike for the 15th consecutive day for the same reason.
The prison authorities hold other prisoners of consciences namely Ho Thi Bich Khuong, Nguyen Thi Loc and Can Thi Theu in solitary cells.
Vietnam’s communist government holds political prisoners under hard conditions, said former prisoners.
VRNs: Blogger Tạ Phong Tần và Nguyễn Đặng Minh Mẫn bị biệt giam và tuyệt thực đến ngày thứ 15
=================
Lawyers Seek to Meet Death-sentenced Ho Duy Hai
Lawyers who represent death-sentenced Ho Duy Hai have sent their letters to the Chief Judge of Vietnam’s People’s Supreme Court, the Chief of the People’s Procuracy and other related state agencies to ask approval for meeting with Hai and prepare his defense.
Hai, who complained that he was unfairly sentenced to death for killing two female post staff, is still under threat to be executed after President Truong Tan Sang ordered one-month suspension for review his case.
The suspension ended on Jan 4 but his family received any information about him.
VRNs: Các Luật sư kiến nghị được thăm gặp Hồ Duy Hải
************7/1/2014*************
Domestic Civil Societies and Abroad Call Vietnam to Remove Capital Punishment
Representatives of 12 domestic and foreign-based Vietnamese civil societies have signed on a petition calling Vietnam not to use death penalty.
Particularly, they urged the communist government not to impose death sentences for Ho Duy Hai and Nguyen Van Chuong as well as to amend the country’s Criminal Code.
DTD: Các Tổ Chức XHDS Trong Và Ngoài Nước Kêu Gọi Việt Nam Bãi Bỏ Án Tử Hình
=================
Vietnam Holds 106 Prisoners of Conscience: FVPoC
Vietnam is holding 106 political prisoners, according to the Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience (FVPoC).
These prisoners are imprisoned for anti-state activities under Articles 88, 245, 257 and 258 in the Criminal Code, the FVPoC said.
Recently, the number of imprisoned land petitioners has been risen, the FVPoC said, adding the communist government has used Article 245- “conducting social disorders” and Article 257- conducting activities against on-duty state officials” to jail farmers who have peacefully sought to retake their land which had been illegally seized by local authorities.
CTNLT: HỘI CTNLT: VN HIỆN ĐANG GIAM GIỮ 106 TÙ NHÂN LƯƠNG TÂM
==================
Vietnamese Women for Human Rights Release New Year Declaration
The unsanctioned Vietnamese Women for Human Rights (VNWHR) has issued its working plan for 2015 which aims to protect the freedom and dignity of Vietnamese women.
The VNWHR strives to support women who are assaulted by authorities for demanding justice and for voicing opposing viewpoints.
It set several specific goals for 2015:
**************8/1/2015**************
Political Dissident Tran Anh Kim Returns Home After 66 Months in Prison
On Jan 7, pro-democracy activist Tran Anh Kim, who is former lieutenant of the Vietnam People’s Army, completed his 66-month imprisonment.
Mr. Kim was arrested in July 2009 and chased for attempts of overthrowing the people’s government under Article 79 of the Criminal Code. Later, he was sentenced to 5 years and half in jail.
He was an army officer with lieutenant rank and held deputy head of the military political department of Thai Binh town before 1990s.
During 1995-2005, he participated in a number of groups which promote multi-party democracy, including the 8406 Bloc.
He assisted farmers whose land was illegally seized by local authorities in seeking justice, and participated in anti-corruption campaign.
RFA: Tù nhân chính trị, cựu trung tá Trần Anh Kim mãn hạn tù
=====================
Land Petitioner Lu Thi Thu Van Says She Was Beaten Severely by HCM City Police
Lu Thi Thu Van, whose land was illegally seized by local authorities, has said she was severely beaten by Ho Chi Minh City police on Jan 1 when she met with other land petitioners in a park in the city’s center.
Van said she got serious injury in her face caused by policemen who threatened her.
On the first day of this year, Van and other land petitioners from Tien Giang and HCM City gathered in the park where they hang banners demanding the government to return land.
Police came to disperse the gathering and detained Van and other people to police stations where policemen beat them.
Radiochantroimoi: Dân oan Lư Thị Thu Vân tố cáo bị công an Sài Gòn bắt giữ, đánh đập dã man
*************9/1/2015************
Civil Societies Urge Vietnam to Drop Death Penalty
As many as 21 domestic civil societies and 21 foreign-based organizations have signed a joint petition urging Vietnam’s government to drop death sentences.
In their petition, they request the authorities in Vietnam to immediately stop carrying out any death sentence that has been declared, and abolishing capital punishment for such crime as drug trafficking, printing counterfeit money (among the 22 offenses) and to quickly amend the Criminal Code to ban completely the “death”penalty.
Recently, public has raised concerns over planned execution of Hai Duong province-based Nguyen Van Chuong and Long An province-based Ho Duy Hai who have complained of being tortured by police investigators during interrogation and tried unfairly.
Many Vietnamese have voiced online asking Vietnam to review these cases. As a result, President Truong Tan Sang ordered suspension of death sentences for further review.
According to the Vietnam Network of Human Rights, there are over 700 death-sentenced people waiting for execution. In 2014, around 50 were executed.
RFA: Kháng thư phản đối án tử hình tại Việt Nam
=======================
Civil Societies Send Their Joint Report on Vietnam’s Human Rights Violations to ASEAN Civil Societies Meeting
As many as 19 Vietnamese civil societies sent their joint report on Vietnam’s suppression and human rights violations to ASEAN Civil Societies Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
In the report they have asked the ASEAN Civil Societies Meeting to voice and demand Vietnam’s government to respect freedom of expression, freedom of press, freedom of movement both in the country and abroad, and rights to own land.
The communist-ruled Vietnam must drop controversial laws and articles such as Article 79, 88, 87, 258, 245 and 257 in the Criminal Code, they said.
They also said the Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID), the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation (VPDF) and CRSCH which attend the meeting in Kuala Lumper are not civil societies but state-run. These organizations are funded by the Vietnamese government while their leaders are communist members.
RFA: Các tổ chức XHDSVN gởi kiến nghị đến Hội nghị XHDS ASEAN 2015
************10/1/2015***********
Authorities in HCM City Strives to demolish Lien Tri Pagoda
Authorities in District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City continues their pressure to force religious facilities in Thu Thiem to remove out of the peninsula.
Venerable monk Thich Khong Tanh, chief of Lien Tri Pagoda and a member of the Vietnam Inter-religion Council, informed that the local authorities came to request the pagoda’s leadership to remove.
The authorities declared that no religious facility will remain in Thu Thiem, he added.
Venerable Tanh has sent a petition to President Truong Tan Sang and other state leaders asking them to respect freedom of religions and protect religious facilities in Thu Thiem.
HCM City plans to use Thu Thiem to build new urban areas.
VRNs: Nhà cầm quyền Quận 2 gây sức ép phá hủy Chùa Liên Trì
====================
Secondary School Student in HCM City Dies after Beaten by Teacher
On Jan 6, Le Thi Phuoc Hai, a secondary school student in Ho Chi Minh City died after being beaten by a class teacher.
Her parents said they have informed the school management board and her friends that Hai had mental disorder and needed to be treated carefully. However, the female teacher ignored the fact, still punished her with violence which led to her death.
Mrs. Khai Hoan, the mother, said her family will not ask for crime responsibility of the teacher. However, the family requested the Ministry of Education and Training to have proper methods to deal with teachers’ violent behavior against students.
VOA: Một học sinh lớp 6 thiệt mạng sau khi bị cô giáo đánh
=================
Just Released from Prison, Political Activist Says to Continue to Fight for Democracy
Political dissident Tran Anh Kim, who completed his 66-month imprisonment last week, has declared that he will continue his fight for democracy and freedom.
Speaking at an interview to BBC, Mr. Kim said he will fight for the country’s multi-party democracy which is basic for the nation’s prosperity.
Mr. Kim was arrested in July 2009 and chased for attempts of overthrowing the people’s government under Article 79 of the Criminal Code. Later, he was sentenced to 5 years and half in jail.
He was an army officer with lieutenant rank and held deputy head of the military political department of Thai Binh town before 1990s.
During 1995-2005, he participated in a number of groups which promote multi-party democracy, including the 8406 Bloc.
He assisted farmers whose land was illegally seized by local authorities in seeking justice, and participated in anti-corruption campaign.
BBC: Ông Trần Anh Kim ra tù
DTD: Mừng đón Trần Anh Kim ra tù
**********11/1/2015************
Nghe An Province-based Activist Thanks for Support during His Imprisonment
Former political prisoner Tran Huu Duc from the central province of Nghe An has expressed his thankfulness for supports of other activists during his imprisonment.
He recently completed his sentence which he received for his activities to promote multi-party democracy in Vietnam.
FVPOC: Nghệ An: Cựu TNLT Trần Hữu Đức gửi lời cám ơn
===============
Activists Should Take Exercise during Imprisonment to Improve Health
Those activists who are jailed should regularly take physical exercises to improve health in order to be fit for fighting after complete sentences, said political dissident Tran Anh Kim, who completed his 66-month imprisonment last week.
During imprisonment, activists should also learn other skills for fighting when being released, he said.
Prisoners should obey prison’s rules in order to avoid any troubles, he added.
During the imprisonment, he gained respects from prison’s staff, he said.
RFA: Lao tù có thể “cải tạo” người bất đồng chính kiến hay không?