AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
(New York) - As President George W. Bush prepares for his visit with Viet Nam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) urged the U.S. leader to make a strong case for improved human rights in the country, particularly on behalf of those who are persecuted for practicing their religious beliefs or for expressing peaceful political views in cyberspace.
"Free speech and religious choice are rights enshrined under international law - and, as founding principles of the United States, are as American as apple pie," said Larry Cox, executive director for AIUSA. "This is the perfect opportunity for President Bush to make a strong stand for human rights and true American values, and ultimately help change the fate of those languishing in prison or living in constant fear."
The president is slated to combine his trip to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Hanoi this week with a state visit to Viet Nam. In advance of the trip, AIUSA wrote to President Bush and outlined concerns about the following:
"Cyber Prisoners" and Restrictions on Internet Usage
Viet Nam has passed a series of laws in recent years that limit freedom of expression
on the Internet. Individuals have been harassed, detained and imprisoned for expressing
their peaceful political views online. Fear of prosecution fuels widespread self-censorship.
Internet café owners are required to monitor and inform on customers. Vietnamese-language
websites that deal with democracy and human rights are increasingly being filtered and blocked.
Religious Persecution
Religious practice remains under strict control of Vietnamese authorities, despite the 2005
releases of several religious dissidents and the issuing of instructions intended to facilitate
official recognition of churches. Church members seen as opposing state policies continue to be
harassed, arrested and imprisoned. Church property has been destroyed; for example, a small Mennonite
church in Ho Chi Minh City was destroyed in May 2006.
The Montagnards
The Montagnards are an indigenous population that is primarily Christian and resides in the Central
Highlands. Vietnamese officials continue to pressure Christians who belong to independent house
churches to renounce their religion or to pledge loyalty to the state- sanctioned Evangelical Church
of Viet Nam. More than 250 Montagnards have been imprisoned since 2001 following demonstrations against
religious repression and loss of ancestral land, which at times have led to social unrest. At least 80
people were arrested in 2005 and approximately 140 people were sentenced to prison terms during the same year.
The Lack of an Independent Judiciary
Trials that are considered political in nature have often concluded in a matter of hours,
without due process and with heavy jail sentences. Peaceful dissenters are routinely arrested
and charged under vaguely worded "national security" crimes, including spying. There
have been some positive developments, but access to legal counsel remains very limited and protections
still fall short of Viet Nam's obligations under international law.
No Access for Human Rights Monitors
Viet Nam continues to deny access to independent human rights monitors, including Amnesty International
and the UN Special Rapporteurs.
Contact: Wende Gozan at 212/633-4247 or T. Kumar at 202/544-0200 x224
