Vietnam Human Rights Defenders’ Weekly- Nov 24- 31: Mennonite Church Continuously Harassed

Defenders’ Weekly | Nov 30, 2014

Defenders-weekly-11

Members of the Independent Mennonite Christian Church have been repeatedly harassed by local authorities as thugs supported by policemen have conducted numerous violent acts against pastors and followers and demolished the church properties.

On Nov 21, German Vice Chancellor  Sigmar Gabriel met with a number of Vietnamese human rights activists to talk about Vietnam’s government violations of local residents’ human rights.

On Nov 25, former political prisoner Nguyen Van Hai (aka Dieu Cay) received an award for press freedom at the Committee for Protection of Journalists (CPJ)’s 2014 International Press Freedom Awards held in New York.

And other interesting news.

********24/11/2014********

Hanoi Court Uphold Imprisonments for Three Duong Noi Village after Illegally Seizing Their Land

The People’s Court in Ha Dong district in Hanoi on Nov 25 held an appeal hearing for three farmers in Duong Noi villages who were accused of conducting activities against on-duty state officials when local authorities seized land of many farmers in Duong Noi.

During the hearing with tightened security with participation of around 1,000 policemen and militia, the court rejected appeals of Can Thi Theu, Trinh Ba Khiem and Le Van Thanh and upheld their respective sentences of 15 months, 18 months and 12 months in prison.

On the day of hearing, hundreds of farmers in Duong Noi and activists nationwide came to support the accused farmers. They held banners demanding fair trial for farmers such as “Arrest people and land seizure are crimes,” and “Human rights for Duong Noi victims of injustice.”

IJAVN: Xét xử 3 dân oan Dương Nội: “Bắt người vô tội, cướp đất là một tội ác!”

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Followers of the United Buddhist Delegation of Vietnam Harassed

A group of followers of the United Buddhist Delegation of Vietnam  was attacked by policemen and militia when they took foots of a facility which was built on the land of Phuoc Buu Pagoda in Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Local authorities beat and seized a camera of a monk named Tam.

Tens of policemen stumped at monk Tam, beat him and detained him to the local police station until 3pm.

RFA: Tín đồ Giáo hội Phật giáo Việt nam thống nhất bị hành hung

 

**********25/11/2014*********

Independent Journalist Severely Beaten by Eight Security Agents

Independent journalist Truong Minh Duc on Nov 2 was beaten unconsciously by policemen in Thu Dau Mot town in Binh Duong province.

He told his wife that he recognized some policemen among attackers. He identified that one of the attackers is Lieutenant Hoa, a police officer who has harassed him several times.

Mr. Benjamin Ismail, head of the Journalist Without Borders in Asia-Pacific said police violence against bloggers and journalists citizens has become systemic across Vietnam. The violence is a terrorism policy of the ruling communist party in Vietnam, he said.

Mr. Ismail called on the international community to take urgent action to pressure on Vietnam’s authorities, demanding Hanoi to stop systemic violence targeting those who work to promote freedom of expression in Vietnam.

RFS: Một nhà báo bị 8 an ninh đánh bất tỉnh

**********26/11/2014*********

Vietnam Human Rights Activists Meet with German Vice Chancellor and Other Western Officials

Vietnamese human rights activists on Dec 20-21  met with a number of Western officials and diplomats to report human rights situation in the communist nation.

In Ho Chi Minh City on Dec 21, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who is also leader of Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), met with Vietnamese activists during his stay in the city.

One of Vietnamese activists, Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, told BBC that the meeting aims to inform foreign officials about human right situation and the increasing harassment in Vietnam in order to pressure on the communist government, demanding Hanoi to respect its commitment when Vietnam became a member of the UN Human Rights Council.

After hearing presentation of Vietnamese activists on human rights situation, Mr. Gabriel said Vietnam successfully drew a fabricated picture of improved human rights situation in the country by releasing some political prisoners, but the communist government has launched a delicate political crackdown.

BBC: Phương Tây gặp đại diện nhân quyền VN

*************27/11/2014***************

Vietnam Authorities Continue Harass Christian Mennonite Church

Although it has signed UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights with commitment on religious freedom, Vietnam has silently launched campaign to suppress unsanctioned religions.

During the past few months, members of the Independent Mennonite Christian Church have been repeatedly harassed by local authorities as thugs supported by policemen have conducted numerous violent acts against pastors and followers and demolished the church properties.

DTD: HỘI THÁNH MENNONITE ĐỘC LẬP TIẾP TỤC BỊ SÁCH NHIỄU

*************28/11/2014************

Blogger Dieu Cay Receives CPJ Award

On Nov 25, former political prisoner Nguyen Van Hai (aka Dieu Cay) received an award for press freedom at the Committee for Protection of Journalists (CPJ)’s 2014 International Press Freedom Awards held in New York.

The awards are to honor those people who have brave articles to promote and shape freedom of press.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Hai said his release is the victory result of efforts of friends and colleagues in the country and abroad as well as the pressure of international organizations and the U.S. government on the Vietnamese communist government.

Mr. Hai said he will continue to fight for those Vietnamese activists who are still held in prisons.

Bob Dietz, coordinator of CPJ in Asia called Dieu Cay’s release a victory of press freedom.

BBC: Điếu Cày nhận giải thưởng tự do báo chí

**************29/11/2014**************

Political Prisoner in Xuyen Moc Prison Calls for Help

The Vietnam Pathway on Nov 29 received a letter from political prisoner Phan Ngoc Tuan who is held in Xuyen Moc prison in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

In his letter Mr. Tuan asked human rights activists to voice on his case as well as intervene to protect human rights of other prisoners.

FB Conduongvietnam: TÙ NHÂN CHÍNH TRỊ XUYÊN MỘC KÊU CỨ

**************30/11/2014*************

Hanoi Police Illegally Detain Human Rights Activists

Policemen, plain-clothes security agents and mobile policemen in Hanoi on evening of Nov 27 stumped in a dormitory in Tran Dang Ninh street in Dich Vong ward in Cau Giay district where a group of students was taking dinner.

The policemen demanded ID checking, detained the students and confiscated their items. They also severely beat the students who often voice to promote multi-party democracy and assist victims of injustice.

The acts of policemen are illegal as they violate Vietnamese Constitution and Article 143 of the Criminal Code.

Vietnam’s authorities have often arbitrary detained and beaten social activists.

IJAVN: Bắt giữ người hoạt động nhân quyền: Công an Phường Dịch Vọng, Hà Nội vi phạm pháp luật!