Mạng Lưới Tuổi Trẻ Việt Nam lên tiếng

Thư Dân Biểu Ed Royce gởi Bà Rice (tiếng Anh)

Thư Dân Biểu Ed Royce gởi Bà Rice (tiếng Việt)

H. RES 243

110th CONGRESS 1st Session

H. RES . 243

Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thi Cong Nhan, and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 14, 2007

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. ROYCE, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. WOLF, Mr. RENZI, Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California, Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia, and Mr. PASCRELL) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

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RESOLUTION

Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thi Cong Nhan, and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and for other purposes.

Whereas, on February 18, 2007, Vietnamese police raided the parish house of Father Nguyen Van Ly and confiscated computers, telephones, more than 100 mobile phone cards, and more than 200 kilograms of documents;

Whereas the police moved Father Ly to the remote location of Ben Cui in central Vietnam, where he is under house arrest;

Whereas Father Ly is a former prisoner of conscience, having spent a total of over 13 years in prison since 1983 for his advocacy of religious freedom and democracy in Vietnam;

Whereas Father Ly is one of the founders of `Block 8406', a democracy movement that started in April 2006 when hundreds of people throughout Vietnam signed public petitions calling for democracy and human rights;

Whereas Father Ly is also a founder of a new political party, the Vietnam Progression Party, and one of the primary editors of `Freedom of Speech' magazine;

Whereas, on March 6, 2007, Vietnamese police arrested one of Vietnam's few practicing human rights lawyers, Nguyen Van Dai, who has defended individuals arrested for their human rights and religious activities, is the co-founder of the Committee for Human Rights in Vietnam, and is one of the principal organizers of the Block 8406 democracy movement;

Whereas, on March 6, 2007, Vietnamese police also arrested Le Thi Cong Nhan, a human rights lawyer, a member of `Block 8406', the principal spokesperson for the Progression Party, and a founder of the Vietnamese Labor Movement;

Whereas Father Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan have been charged with disseminating propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under article 88 of the Penal Code;

Whereas if convicted, they each could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison;

Whereas in none of their activities have Father Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, or Le Thi Cong Nhan advocated or engaged in violence in their opposition to the Vietnamese Government or its policies;

Whereas the arrest of and charges against Father Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan violate Article 69 of the Vietnamese Constitution, which states that `The citizen shall enjoy freedom of opinion and speech, freedom of the press, the right to be informed and the right to assemble, form associations and hold demonstrations in accordance with the provisions of the law';

Whereas Father Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan have been arrested and charged in contravention of the rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Vietnam is a state party, specifically Article 18 (freedom of religion), Article 19 (freedom of expression) and Article 22 (freedom of association);

Whereas the United State Congress agreed to Vietnam becoming an official member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2006, amidst assurances that the Vietnamese Government was steadily improving its human rights record and would continue to do so;

Whereas the group of Asian countries at the United Nations have nominated Vietnam as the sole regional candidate for a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 biennium, and pursuant to the United Nations Charter, Vietnam would be required to discharge its duties in accordance with the purposes of the United Nations, including the promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all; and

Whereas the arbitrary imprisonment and the violation of the human rights of citizens of Vietnam are sources of continuing, grave concern to Congress, and the arrests of Father Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan are part of a trend toward increasing oppression of human rights advocates in Vietnam: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That--

(1) the House of Representatives--

(A) condemns and deplores the arbitrary arrests of Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and calls for their immediate and unconditional release and the dropping of all criminal charges, and for the immediate and unconditional release of all other political and religious prisoners;

(B) condemns and deplores the violations of the freedoms of speech, religion, movement, association, and the lack of due process afforded to individuals in Vietnam;

(C) challenges the qualifications of Vietnam to be a member of the United Nations Security Council, unless the Government of Vietnam begins immediately to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all within its own borders; and

(D) strongly urges the Government of Vietnam to consider the implications of its actions for the broader relationship between the United States and Vietnam; and

(2) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should--

(A) make a top concern the immediate release, legal status, and humanitarian needs of Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan;

(B) use funds from the newly created Human Rights Defenders Fund of the Department of State to assist with the legal defense and the needs of the families and dependents of Father Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan;

(C) continue to urge the Government of Vietnam to comply with internationally recognized standards for basic freedoms and human rights;

(D) make clear to the Government of Vietnam that it must adhere to the rule of law and respect the freedom of religion and expression in order to broaden its relations with the United States;

(E) make clear to the Government of Vietnam that the detention of Father Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thi Cong Nhan, and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and other human rights violations are not in the interest of Vietnam because they create obstacles to improved bilateral relations and cooperation with the United States;

(F) if there is widespread harassment, short-term detentions, long-term house detentions, and arrests of religious leaders and religious-motivated rights defenders and activists, re-impose on Vietnam the country of particular concern (CPC) designation, which was removed on November, 13, 2006, for severe and ongoing violations of the freedoms of thought, conscience, religion, and belief in Vietnam;

(G) make clear to the Government of Vietnam that the norms and responsibilities of joining the international community are not fully realized in Vietnam's WTO membership, and that the issues of the freedoms of speech, assembly, association, and the right of due process are essential for a healthy trade and business climate; and

(H) in order to advance these freedoms and rights, and to strengthen the long-term relationship between the United States and Vietnam, initiate new foreign assistance programs to advance the capacity and networking abilities of Vietnamese civil society, including new rule of law programs to train Vietnamese human rights lawyers, judges, academics, and students about international human rights law; new public diplomacy initiatives to inform and teach Vietnamese citizens about international human rights norms and responsibilities, and projects that support organizations and associations that promote the freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and association.

Human Rights Activists to Hold Press Conference

House Members, Human Rights Activists to Hold Press Conference on Eve of Vietnamese Foreign Minister's Visit to Washington

Importance: High

For Immediate Release

Contact: Patrick Creamer (202) 225-3765

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

U.S. House Members, Human Rights Activists to Call for Human Rights Reform in Vietnam on Eve of Vietnamese Foreign Minister's Visit to Washington

WASHINGTON - Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and human rights activists will hold a press conference tomorrow to call on Secretary of

State Condoleezza Rice to press for an end to the human rights abuses-including recent arrests of pro-democracy advocates and continued religious persecution-in Vietnam during her visit with the Vietnamese foreign minister this week.

Secretary Rice is set to meet with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and

Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem in Washington this Thursday and the press conference will focus on the issues and instances of particular human rights abuses that U.S. House members want Secretary Rice to address during her meeting.

PARTICIPANTS:

* U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Vietnam Caucus

* U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Co-Chair of the House Vietnam Caucus

* U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA)

* Helen Ngo, Committee for Religious Freedom in Vietnam

* Nguyen Dinh Thang, Boat People SOS

***Other participants invited, but not yet confirmed

WHEN: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 11:00 AM

WHERE: Cannon Terrace (The elevated terrace adjacent to the Cannon House Office Building's entrance at Independence and New Jersey Avenues)

Patrick J. Creamer

Communications Director

Office of Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ-04)

2373 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: (202) 225-3765

Fax: (202) 225-7768

For the latest news on Rep. Smith, please visit www.house.gov/chrissmith

Kêu Gọi Bộ Ngoại Giao Hoa Kỳ can thiệp khi gặp Phạm Gia Khiêm

Kính gởi Các Bạn,

Chúng ta cần hổ trợ việc đòi hỏi nhà cầm quyền CSVN trả tự do cho các nhà đối kháng trong nước, nhân dịp Phạm Gia Khiêm sẽ gặp Bộ Ngoại Giao Hoa Kỳ vào thứ năm tuần này, vì vậy chúng ta phải đồng loạt fax thỉnh nguyện thư tới bà Condoleezza Rice để yêu cầu Bộ Ngoại Giao Hoa Kỳ đặt vấn đề CSVN vi phạm nhân quyền tại Việt Nam.

Cách Fax qua internet như sau:

1). Copy 2 bản mẩu fax ở bên dưới xuống bằng Microsoft Word, sau đó viết tên và địa chỉ mình vào rồi save lại.

2). vào trang http://faxzero.com/

Khi vào tranh này các bạn sẽ thấy có 2 khung

a). khung thứ nhất (màu xanh lá chuối) gọi là Sender Information: điền vào tên họ cũa Người gởi, số fax và địa chỉ email.

b). Khung thứ hai (màu xanh da trời) gọi là: Receiver Information: nơi đây điền vào:

Name* = Secretary Condoleezza Rice

Company = ỤS. Department of State

Số fax = 2026472283

Ngay bên dưới có khung Fax Information: Các Bạn bấm vào nút Browse để chọn 1 file (xin nhớ file chỉ dùng là doc hoặc pdf và mỗi lần gởi là 1 file).

Sau khi ađ file xong, bên dưới có khung Confirmation Code* , dưới khung đó có 5 chữ và số, thì các Bạn điền vàọ

3). Bấm vào nút Send Free Fax Now

4). Qua Check Email mà mình đã điền trong khung người gởi, ở đây các bạn sẽ nhận 1 email từ: FaxZero.com với subject là: Fax Confirmation from FaxZero.com

Trong nội dung cũa lá thư đó có một cái link, nó sẽ nằm trong doạn "

Dear xxxxxxxxx,

Please click on the URL below to send your fax to The Hon. Condoleezza Rice at 2026472283."

Bên dưới là cái link. Các Bạn bấm link đó để gởi đi.

Và Các Bạn có thể làm lại với lá thư thứ 2

Thân.

----------------------------- Mẩu fax thứ nhất ----------------------

Secretary Condoleezza Rice

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520

Fax: 202 647 2283

Subject: Protesting the Crackdown on Democracy Advocates with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem

Dear Dr. Rice,

The nightmare many international human rights organizations dreaded has turned into reality in Vietnam.

After getting what it cherished from the world community — WTO membership, PNTR status with the US, and removal from the CPC list — the Vietnamese communist government has moved against peaceful dissent and launched a nationwide crackdown against the Vietnamese democracy movement.

In one of the worst repressions in the last 20 years according to Human Rights Watch, hundreds of dissidents and their families all over Vietnam have been interrogated, had their homes searched, been robbed of computers and communication devices and put under house arrest, imprisoned or tortured. There is no sign that the current campaign of terror will end any time soon.

We respectfully urge you to raise this issue in your upcoming meeting with Hanoi Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem. It is not acceptable for the Vietnamese communist government to treat democracy and human rights advocates as bargaining chips. We call on the administration to publicly protest the recent wave of repression and underscore

America’s support for political freedom in Vietnam.

Sincerely,

Name:

Address:

-------------------------------- Mẩu Fax thứ Hai ----------------------------------

TO: The Hon. Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

FROM:

RE: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION - VIETNAM

_

Dear Dr. Rice,

As Vietnamese American with US citizenship and a registered voter, we are concerned about the safety of PRISONER OF CONSCIENCES in Vietnam: Catholic Priest Thadeus NGUYEN VAN LY, lawyer NGUYEN THI CONG NHAN and Lawyer NGUYEN VAN DAI.

We request, through this letter your urgent attention to these flag bearers of democracy are classified dissidents by the Vietnam Government. They are being subjected to brutal oppression. The Communist Vietnam party is relentless and cunning on how to break both the human spirit and mind of dissidents without alarming the rest of the world. We are sure you are aware of the situation there but we want to show our support of these patriots. We understand Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister is visiting the US this week.

Father NGUYEN VAN LY, 59 years old, has spent much of the last 30 years attempting to exercise his right to freedom of expression and freedom of worship in non-violence and has to pay a dear price with years imprisonment and was placed under police surveillance and again banned from conducting religious activities.

On 19 March 2007 (Vietnamese New Year) 60 police officers led by a colonel who specialises in religious matters cut phone lines and searched the entire archdiocesan building in the city of Hue. Father NGUYEN VAN LY was arrested and he has been on hunger strike since then.

Reports I have seen indicate Fr. Nguyen van Ly’s health is deteriorating rapidly. He developed tuberculosis when he was in prison at Nam Ha in 1983 due to hardship and malnutrition. It went into remission after he was released but now due to his 17 days hunger strike, tuberculosis has returned.

Vietnamese security forces also have arrested two influential elderly Catholic priests. The 86-year-old Father CHAN TIN, and Father PHAN VAN LOI, who are editors of Tu Do Ngon Luan or "Freedom of Speech" Magazine, was arrested, later apparently released but remains closely monitored by security forces under house arrest.

Human Rights lawyer NGUYEN VAN DAI and his colleague Labor Lawyer LE THI CONG NHAN have been banned from leaving their homes and had their telephones cut off since APEC meeting last year.

Nguyen Van Dai, 38 years old, one of Vietnam's few practicing human rights lawyers, founded the Committee for Human Rights in Vietnam in 2006. He recently received the prestigious Hellman/Hammett award for persecuted writers, which is administered by Human Rights Watch. Le Thi Cong Nhan, 28 years old female lawyer, she is known as a vocal champion of human rights.

On March 6, 2007 police arrested both Hanoi based above lawyers. Up to today their family still do not know their where about.

Your intervention by demanding the Vietnamese authorities to immediately cease all means of oppression against peaceful citizens would undoubtedly help save theirs and many other lives. We (the US) may never be able to turn over Communism, but we may be able push it to at least respectability.

Respectfully,

Name:

Address:

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