April 30, 2008
During a recent tour in Europe, the Chairman of Viet Tan, Mr. Diem H. Do, made a visit to Geneva, Switzerland on April 30, 2008.
12h00: A meeting with the Liberal Party of Switzerland
In the spirit of inter-party dialogue (like those with the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland and the Christian Democratic Party People’s Party of Switzerland in 2007), a Viet Tan delegation including Chairman Diem H. Do visited the headquarters of the Liberal Party of Switzerland for an exchange of information on the current situation in Vietnam.
Mr. Pierre Weiss, president of the Liberal Party welcomed the Swiss Viet Tan delegation in the presence of Mr. Francis Walpen, MP and mayor of the town of Chêne-Bougeries and Daniel Zaugg, MP.
Viet Tan was also honoured to have the presence of Ms. Martine Brunswig Graf, a member of the Swiss National Council and an influential leader in the political scene in Geneva. She currently sits on the federal commission of Foreign Affairs in the Swiss Capital, Bern.
A video introduced Mr. Diem H. Do and summarized the recent events in Vietnam, including multiple human rights violations perpetrated by the government and the recent arrests of dissidents. Mr. Diem H. Do reiterated Viet Tan’s core principles of non-violence and the importance of international support for Vietnamese activists. With her background and work with the Council on Human Rights in Geneva, Ms. Martine Brunswig Graf shared her recommendations and experience with Viet Tan. Peter Weiss also shared his expertise regarding Democratic Party policies, a were appreciated by members of the delegation of Viet Tan.
An exchange of souvenirs closed this successful visit that is rewarding for Viet Tan in his quest for support of other democratic parties in the international arena.
17h00: Reception at the Palais Eynard by the City of Geneva Administrators
Mr. Manuel Tornare, Administrative Councillor and Mayor of Geneva warmly received the delegation of Viet Tan at the magnificent grounds of the Palais Eynard.
Among the Viet Tan delegation was Nguyen Thi Thanh Vân, a journalist based in Paris, and Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Trang of Geneva.
Thierry Oppikofer, president of the Vietnam-Switzerland Committee (Cosunam), highlighted the role of Manuel Tornare in the release of Ms. Thanh Vân during her imprisonment in Vietnam in November 2007.
In a letter addressed to representatives of Hanoi in Switzerland, Mr. Tornare said:
“Freedom of belief, of association and of press deserve the greatest respect and we would be really surprised if your authorities would not have the heart to release, immediately and unconditionally, those persons arrested without any apparent legal reason. Considering the excellent relationships between our countries, in particular the strong friendship between Ho Chi Minh City and Geneva, I thank you in advance for forwarding my concern and the concern of the members of the Adminstrative Council of Geneva City, and our desire to see these democracy activists released immediately…”
After discussing the current situation in Vietnam, including his most recent trip to Hue and his contacts with religious communities, Mr. Tornare led the delegation on a tour of Palais Eynard, an historically and culturally significant building that serves as a reception hall for major international diplomats and leaders.
Since 1954, the City of Geneva has played an important role between the Swiss and Vietnamese, as well as being an honored place in the collective consciousness of Vietnamese refugees worldwide. A memorial in dedication of the boat people, the first of its kind in Europe, was built in the town of Grand-Saconnex.
18:45 pm: Live interview with Viet Tan local Geneva TV Channel – Léman Bleu
Interviewed live on “Hot Geneva,” Mr. Diem H. Do spoke to journalist Pascal Décaillet. Mr. Décaillet was particularly interested in the activities of the dissidents in Vietnam and Viet Tan‘s non-violent platform.
As a colleague, Pascal Décaillet particularly welcomed the release of Ms. Thanh Vân, a journalist with Radio New Horizon, who was arrested in Saigon in November 2007. Along with five other members and supporters of Viet Tan, Ms. Thanh Van was arrested while preparing to distribute brochures promoting democracy by non-violent means. Ms. Thanh Vân took the live opportunity on television to thank the numerous political figures and Swiss citizens who pressed the Vietnamese authorities for the release of democracy activists.
20:00 pm: Viet Tan bestow the title of Honorary Member to Paul Keiser
In front of an attentive audience of around one hundred representatives of various Vietnamese associations in Switzerland and active members of the Cosunam delegation, Viet Tan gave a presentation on the recent successes of the party in Vietnam as well as prospects for a non-violent struggle.
The quick release of Thanh Vân in December 2007 and the 48 hours detention of Dr. Nguyen Thi Trang Xuân as a result of an attempt to visit imprisoned dissidents captivated the audience’s attention.
The evening was devoted to the memory of the boat people and in reverence of April 30, 1975. Mr. Do H. Diem honored Mr. Paul Keiser, a long-time member of the Vietnam-Switzerland Committee since 1990, for his unwavering commitment to the advancement of democracy and human rights in Vietnam. Mr. Paul Keiser was then officially inducted as an Honorary Member of Viet Tan.
After Thierry Oppikofer, Michel Rossetti, Pierre Marti and Jean-Marc Comte, Paul Keiser is the fifth honorary member of Viet Tan.
