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Statement to the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, on behalf of the People's Democratic Party

 

 
May 29, 2007
 
AP - Tue May 29, 4:30 PM ET
 
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, center, meet with, from left, Thanh Cong Do, founding member of the People's Democratic Party of Vietnam; Nguyen Le Minh, chairman of the Vietnam Human Rights Network; the vice president; the president; Diem Do, chairman of the Vietnam Reform Party; and Dr. Quan Nguyen, chairman of the International Committee for Freedom to Support the Non-Violent Movement for Human Rights in Vietnam, meet to discuss Vietnamese democracy and human rights, Tuesday, May 29, 2007, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
 
Dear Mr. President;
 
I receive this opportunity to discuss human rights situations in Viet Nam with you as an honor. On behalf of the People's Democratic Party and the Vietnamese living inside and aboard who would like to see Viet Nam move forward to democracy, I am grateful to report to you what has been happening in Viet Nam recently.
 
Last year, on the 8th of April 2006, many Vietnamese people, regardless of backgrounds, classes and occupations, all together publicly risked their lives and signed a declaration calling for a change in Viet Nam . They want to have freedom of expression, freedom of vote, freedom of press and freedom of independent religious practice. These are basic human rights but under the rule of the Vietnamese Communist Party, these rights were denied. The Vietnamese government does not tolerate such daring. Up to date, many of them have been arrested and sentenced long periods in prison. Some went into hiding or sought refuge in other countries; other were harassed and intimidated; forced into denouncing their support. However, the historic Vietnamese democratic movement was born on that day, the so-called Block 8406.
 
Since then, more groups and political parties have publicly formed and taken up the struggle for a free Viet Nam . The Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights for Viet Nam formed with the purpose of unification of all human rights groups and supportive individuals.  The Viet Nam Progression Party, The Democracy Party of 21 Century, The People's Democratic Party, The United Workers-Farmers Organization of Viet Nam were all formed inside Viet Nam . They have different political agendas-- but in general, there is a common ground: that is, seeking to challenge the Viet Nam Communist Party to accept them as opposition organizations, and working together for a better Viet Nam .
 
However, after getting acceptance into WTO, removal from the CPC and the granting of PNTR. The Viet Nam authorities have increased suppression. Recently, they sentenced Father Nguyen Van Ly to 8 years in jail, human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai to 5 years and Lawyer Le Thi Cong Nhan to 4 years imprisonment. Members of the Viet Nam Progression Party were brought to trial and given very harsh sentences. Three leading members of the People's Democratic Party, Dr. Le Nguyen Sang, Lawyer Nguyen Bac Truyen, Journalist Huynh Nguyen Dao were imprisoned with 5, 4 and 3 years respectively. Five members of the United Workers Farmers Organization of Viet Nam were detained; many other Block 8406 members and democracy activists are still under arrest without trial.
 
In this extremely difficult situation, the democratic movement in Viet Nam is looking towards the free world, especially the United States , for support. As a country stands up for freedom, democracy and human rights, I am asking you,   Mr. President to please consider these efforts to promote the democracy in Viet Nam
 
- Put Viet Nam back onto the CPC list to show that violation of internationally recognized promises is not acceptable.
- Ask Viet Nam to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by releasing all non-violent political prisoners.
-  To engage in economic development to help Viet Nam out of poverty. But with consideration not to increase military aid and equipment because of the dangers Viet Nam poses to other Asian countries and to the democratic movement.
- Support the democratic movement inside Viet Nam , in particular the independent political parties and labor unions.  However, they are not only in need of symbolic support but also long-term policy that will support training, education and financing. In the long run, a free and democratic Viet Nam is more beneficial and conducive to the US 's interests than a dictatorial regime.
 
As you have said before, if  someone stands up for freedom, you will not turn your face away. Again, thank you for your times and efforts in listening to our voices.
 
Respectively,
Do, Thanh Cong
Spokesperson of the People's Democratic Party