November 14, 2006
under Lockdown on Eve of APEC Summit
Days before the APEC summit convenes in Hanoi, the Vietnamese communist authorities have attempted to isolate and harass key democracy activists. “No Foreigners”, “No Pictures”, “Restricted Area – No Passing’’ signs have gone up near the homes of leading dissidents. To prevent foreign reporters from contacting the activists, the public security forces have set up equipment to jam mobile phone reception in several locations.
Attorney Le Thi Cong Nhan, a labor activist and spokesperson for the unsanctioned Vietnam Progression Party, was given a verbal order by police not to leave her home, use her telephone, meet with foreigners, or have more than two people in her house. According to neighbors, the gate outside the young attorney’s home has been locked. Days earlier Le Thi Cong Nhan was fired by her employer under pressure from the public security. Both she and her mother were repeatedly summoned for prolonged interrogations.
Attorney Nguyen Van Dai, chairman of the human rights committee of the newly formed Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Vietnam, has been subjected to repeat interrogations by the Division A24 of the public security agency since November 9. He was recently prevented by police from going to Saigon to visit his wife who is under medical care.
Dr. Pham Hong Son, a former political prisoner, has been the victim of two staged traffic accidents. On November 4, while riding his motorcycle with his two children near Mai Xuan Thuong park, a high speed motorcycle came up from behind and collided with Dr. Son, causing serious damage to his motorcycle. After the collision, the unidentified motorcycle sped up and disappeared with its motorists who were wearing masks. On November 9, Dr. Son encountered another high speed motorcycle which almost caused him to lose control of his vehicle. As that unidentified motorcycle sped away, another came up and the driver shouted threatening insults to Dr. Son.
Mai Xuan Thuong park, located in central Hanoi, has been the gathering place for hundreds of people at a time protesting government corruption. Many of the protesters have come from far away provinces to seek redress for land seized by government officials. On November 9, security police emptied the park of demonstrators. Many of the these individuals are currently under “temporary detention.”
The demands for political change in Vietnam have become a grassroots social movement. Viet Tan calls on foreign leaders and media to visit with the democracy activists and seek out Vietnamese citizens calling for social justice. With Vietnam under the international spotlight, this is the time to engage in a dialogue with the Vietnamese people, not just the dictatorial regime.
For more information, please contact Angelina Do at 916-248-1588.