Since 1993, through my work with the Committee Suisse-Vietnam, I have had the opportunity to meet the passionate Nguyen Thanh Vân on numerous occasions. We first met in 1995 in Berlin during one of the first large gatherings of the Vietnamese community to promote democracy and human rights. Since then, she would often come to support the actions of our committee and do reports for print and radio media.
Whether during the festive celebration of the Vietnamese New Year or during public demonstrations in front of the Palais des Nations for the 50th anniversary of the 1954 Geneva Accords Commemoration, I was very impressed by Nguyen Thanh Vân’s activism and commitment to her journalist work. I could sense from her a unique blend of uncompromising determination to advocate for human rights but at the same time grace and discretion… a true strong Asian woman.
Shared values of Viet Tan and the Christian-Democratic Party
It is very natural that she works as a member of Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party), an opposition party calling for the peaceful democratization of Vietnam. Its activities to promote a non-violent means to defend human rights, especially freedom of expression, need to be emphasized.
Through all the years of my association with Viet Tan, whose basic principles centered on social justice, solidarity with the oppressed, family, and tolerance, I’ve realized that its core values correspond perfectly with that of the beliefs of a Christian-Democrat.
Thus, earlier this year, in the presence of the highest authorities of the Geneva Christian-Democratic Party (PDC) of Geneva, and with great pleasure, I received my appointment of honorary membership to Viet Tan. My friend and fellow PDC member, Peter Marti, were greatly humbled by this honor.
In my opinion, qualifying Vân Thanh Nguyen as a “terrorist” and accusing her of “sabotage against the Vietnamese state security” is an unfounded judgment, not mention quite flippant. Following the example of Cuba, North Korea and China, the Vietnamese government, despite the facade of an open country after years of political turmoil, has unfortunately kept its old dictatorial one-party regime habits when it addresses the issue of freedom of expression.
As for me, Thanh Van’s democratic passion and detention reminds me of the example of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, Peace Nobel Prize winner, who was also unfairly convicted and imprisoned in Burma. We are all aware of the serious consequences of these recent events.
Our duty as Christian-Democrats is not only to remember these remarkable women, but also to fully support them.
Jean-Marc Comte
Administrative Councilman of the city of Grand Saconnex, Geneva
Honorary Member of Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party)
