Re: The inhumane treatment of a Vietnamese citizen throughout the past 30 years by the Communist State of Vietnam (CSVN), grossly violating human rights including the right to pursue happiness, the right to life, liberty and security of person, the right to housing, and the right to own property.
To:
International committees and commissions for human rights, amnesty, religious freedom, rights of the child; governments of free and democratic nations; and individual organizations advocating for the cause of justice and humanity.
From:
Pastor Duong Kim Khai
Address: 37/6B – chuong bo cau ong ngu – D. Binh Quoi – F.28 – Q. Binh Thanh – Saigon
Strong condemnation and denunciation of inhumane acts undertaken by local authorities at Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi which grossly violate our human rights including the right to life, liberty and security of person, the right to housing, the right to own property, and the right to pursue happiness.
The inexcusable actions and criminal nature of local authorities at Binh Thanh, HCMC and Hanoi are described as follows:
In 1972 when I was just a 14 year old minor living in Soc Son, a district of Hanoi, I was arrested by the communist authorities there. I was detained for a lengthy interrogation which continued all through the night. Quang, a police officer heading the interrogation, attempted to press charges against me for undertaking actions against the state (singing songs associated with the Thieu government of South Vietnam instead of chanting words to praise Ho Chi Minh and the communist party). Unable to obtain sufficient evidence, the communist authorities of Hanoi reluctantly released me but without a single word of apology.
In 1977 when I was admitted to the Vinh Yen Vinh Phuc hospital to undergo an operation, the main nerve in my right arm was severed as a result of misguided instructions by senior staff. The surgical team refused to reconnect this nerve, leaving me with a permanent physical disability. I complained, denounced such incompetent medical skills and sought compensation. My complaints fell on deaf ears as the authorities of Hanoi refused to compensate me. Instead, they were keen to discharge me from hospital as soon as possible and at all costs, deliberately ignoring my further objections. I raised this issue with many government departments at both local and centralized levels but my effort proved futile as I was completely ignored. Hence, my entire life was destroyed by an inhumane policy adopted by the CSVN.
At 04:30 p.m. on 8 July 1985, the police acted according to orders from high-ranking officials to arrest me. They then escorted me to Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi where I was detained for 13 months. Throughout this time, I was malnourished and suffered from constant hunger. I have never had to endure such misery in my entire life! They tortured me, utilizing all known corporal punishment tactics to extort deposition even though I did not commit any crime (my situation could be compared to that of Joseph when he lived in the house of his Egyptian master, Potiphar; as mentioned in the Christian Bible). They were determined to incriminate me so forced for my appearance before the court. However, the presiding judge whose heart was filled with benevolence and righteousness saw the true nature of Hanoi authorities – unjust, inhumane and always bearing a grudge against citizens for petty things. Thus, after 1 month of trials, the judge dismissed the case against me and I was released. I understood tacitly that he was involved in a personal struggle to protect and defend the innocent. 4 months later, I was indignant upon hearing news of his arrest.
In 1986, facing authorities which were plagued with injustice:
I began my spiritual life and performed religious work in order to avoid accepting a position in the inhumane, communist government.
In 1987, through my struggle and sheer determination not to suffer in silence under house arrest, I sought freedom by placing pressure on Hanoi authorities for my actual release. Under the law of Vietnam, it was natural that I had the right to return to my normal work duties and be entitled to all due benefits. However, the decisions made and actions undertaken by Hanoi authorities were absurdly ridiculous. They rejected my requests and refused to comply with the law. Instead, they illegally created a civil trial in which their tyranny power was utilized to rule against me. I was prohibited from receiving any benefits what-so-ever and my right to return to normal work duties was blatantly denied; thus, pushing me towards the verge of non-existence.
The reaction of Hanoi authorities was typical of a communist government – always preferring to arrest and execute innocent citizens even by mistake rather than releasing them on error.
Under the evil dictatorship of the Communist Party of Vietnam, authorities refused to let me live in peace. All levels of government, from local to centralised departments, were indifferent in their inhumane treatment of citizens.
Authorities always managed to find ways to obstruct and cause difficulties to the work I was undertaking. Then in 1989, I was arrested along with 5 others amidst a prayer session at the home of Ms. Kim Van (Binh Thoi, District 11, HCMC). I was detained in a basement at the HCMC public security police station (Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1) where they attempted by all means to press charges against me for undertaking organized actions against the state. I refused to sign the interrogation report, resolutely opposing the common practice of authorities to frame and charge thoughtlessly South Vietnamese citizens post 1975. I placed pressure on the police to release me after 3 days and 2 nights detention. 2 months afterwards, 15 members of our prayer group, including myself, were arrested during prayer time at Ms. Bay Lien’s house (Binh Thoi). I was arrested together with Pastor Nguyen Viet Anh but I was solely taken to HCMC for detention. At the public security police (PSP) station, they attempted to charge me thoughtlessly for the offence of deliberately acting against the state by organising illegal gatherings. They sent me into exile by prohibiting my further stay in HCMC, formerly known as Saigon. I was unable to reside with any family for fear of involvement. I was forced to live a homeless life on the streets. Eventually though, I was fortunate in meeting a strong-willed group of people who allowed me to live on the sidewalk next to their home, sleeping beneath the flight of stairs to the apartment block at 137 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Tan Binh District for a total of 6 years.
The authorities then discovered me. I was again arrested at the house of Pastor Pham Phu Anh where 10 members of our group gathered for prayers. Once more, I was solely arrested and escorted to HCMC. The PSP intended to send me to a prison camp but due to intense pressure from our prayer group, they reluctantly released me. However, the authorities still refused to loosen their grip on me, summoning for interrogation time and again in order to break my will power. Despite the 13 times I was arrested, I remained strong and unwavering with my love for freedom, desire for justice and willingness to stand for righteousness and reason. I was determined more than ever to realize my idealism and ambition for true justice to shine on the people and nation of Vietnam.
I remained resolute and strongly condemned the injustice in society caused by the communist government of Vietnam. I continued on my uncompromising struggle to protect the legitimate rights of the people. Due to such reasons, the authorities were unable to cope with the intense pressure imposed upon them by the power of the people between the years of 1999 to 2004. Political rallies on the streets and camping protests right outside the US Consulate on Le Duan Boulevard in the centre of HCMC, violence which erupted at Binh Chanh Cau Sang, Le Minh Xuan and other democracy movements, the struggle for an election in 1999, together with my support for 5 other people (namely Nguyen Chi Thanh, Vo Duy Linh, Pham Xuan Quyet, Nguyen Thi Den and Hoang Thi Ngoc Lien) on Judgement number 103 issued on 13 November 1999 and Judgement number 21 released 23 April 2004; all these incidents lead to the decision of authorities to arrest me on 19 August 2004. Authorities spent 6 days raiding our land and demolishing the house we assigned to worship God and teach disadvantaged children. From then on, many children became displaced and remained illiterate, an undeniable crime for which the communist government of Vietnam must take full responsibility. The inhumane actions of authorities have left countless families in ruins, wives forced to part from their husbands, children separated from their parents; the people became poverty stricken, serious illness was a certainty as medicine became scarce and at times lead to unjustifiable fatalities; many youths were forced into living lives of crime all due to poverty … these are only a fraction of the picture which depicts the crimes committed by the communist government of Vietnam.
I always lived under constant threats and in complete control of authorities, even during the time U.S. officials from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and the U.S. Department of State paid a visit to Vietnam, between 16 and 20 May 2009; my situation then was witnessed by many people including Nhat and Hoa …
The days when I was imprisoned, I always offered words of encouragement to everyone to continue believing in a democratic future and warned them to take extra care when dealing with the cunning schemes of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). In the past, the CPV have placed spies in the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam so everyone should learn from this lesson and heighten their awareness.
Courageous people who have true idealism and ambition should take the spirit of loving one’s country and people in their strides, patriotism should be the main focus in their lives; thus, incorporating such values into any plans of action. When the opportunity arrives, individuals should unite their available power to create a synergy for the entire nation, even the mightiest authority cannot withstand such a force.
The objectives of the movements for democracy, freedom, human rights, pluralism in politics and the free forming of political parties are factors which shall warrant success. My fellow countrymen are bound to benefit from a future, civilized nation of beloved Vietnam where happiness, justice and democracy will flourish.
Vietnam’s national sovereignty shall forever hold against foreign invasions by neighbouring states.
Those who are inhumane, treacherous, violate human rights and oppose the objectives of the people in their course of action are bound to face definite elimination, perish and be crushed under the wheels of history of the nation and mankind; as predetermined by GOD.
My sincere wishes for everyone in the free world to raise your voices of conscience in the name of democracy; please show your support by intervening and helping us – the victims of social injustice and severe repression by the tyrant, communist government of Vietnam.
The love from GOD shall forever reside with you.
SUFFERING UNDER THE DARK SKIES OF COMMUNISM.
A victim of social injustice and severe repression for over 30 years.
Pastor Duong Kim Khai