October 15, 2010
The communist government of Vietnam has branded another peaceful democracy activist as a “terrorist.” According to Hanoi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, police detained Hong Vo, a 53-year old social worker and member of Viet Tan, for violating Article 84 of the criminal code which deals with terrorism.
Mrs. Vo, an Australian citizen of Vietnamese origin, had attended a peaceful demonstration in Hanoi on October 9, 2010 in which Viet Tan members read out a statement opposing Chinese aggression and passed out hundreds of t-shirts, hats and fliers asserting Vietnamese sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands. The public demonstration, witnessed by foreign journalists, took place at a park in central Hanoi before hundreds of spectators. Mrs. Vo was arrested at the airport on the evening of October 10 as she was about to board a plane home to Melbourne, Australia.
To maintain its monopoly on power, the Vietnamese communist authorities have criminalized free speech and peaceful political activities. What the Hanoi regime calls “terrorism,” the civilized world sees as promoting democracy. Since 2007, the regime has used the state media to smear Viet Tan. During which time they have recklessly applied the “terrorism” label, the Hanoi authorities have not proven a single terrorist act by Viet Tan or any of our members.
The Vietnamese Communist Party is used to distorting facts on state media, but now the Foreign Ministry is sprouting the same falsehoods. The international community and foreign investors have a stake in the honesty and dependability of Vietnam’s legal system. The use of arbitrary provisions in the criminal code such as Articles 84 (terrorism), 88 (anti-state propaganda) and 79 (subversion) to silence peaceful political dissent must be condemned.
To demand justice and human rights for the Vietnamese people, Viet Tan is committed to peaceful, nonviolent democratic change based on civic participation. Our activities—such as promoting internet freedom, fighting corruption, supporting grassroots movements and campaigning for territorial sovereignty—are aimed at empowering the Vietnamese people and building the foundation for a sustainable democracy.
We challenge the Hanoi regime to substantiate their claims against Viet Tan or else release Hong Vo and all other Viet Tan members who have been arbitrarily detained.
Contact:
Duy Hoang +1.202.470.0845
