~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

Year :      [2004]      [2003]      [2002]      [2001]      [2000]      [1999]      [1998]      [1997]

Human rights group condemns 'grave' abuses by Vietnam

The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) has condemned Vietnam for "grave and consistent" human rights abuses. The Paris-based organisation adopted two new resolutions on Tuesday, including a message of support for detained cyber dissident Pham Que Duong.

Pham Que Duong, a long-time democracy advocate and critic of corruption within the Communist Party, could face a life sentence over espionage charges. In a general resolution on Vietnam, the FIDH also strongly condemned the "widespread crackdown" launched in 2003 against the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam. The federation has called for the immediate release of the church's patriarch, Thich Huyen Quang, and his deputy, Thich Quang Do, who are both being held at their monasteries.

ABC Radio Australia News - March 10, 2004.


Vietnam denies action against Lao rebels

Vietnam has denied any involvement in military action against a long-running insurgency by ethnic minority Hmong rebels in neighbouring Laos. A foreign ministry spokesman, Le Dung, says reports of Vietnamese involvement are intended to distort and sabotage the good relationship between Vietnam and Laos. Small bands of mainly Hmong rebels have been waging a low-level insurgency in Laos for almost three decades.

Late last month as many as 900 rebels reportedly gave themselves up after government troops surrounded several northern holdouts. Human rights group Amnesty International says it has received conflicting reports as to their treatment by the authorities. It has urged the government to ensure they are treated in accordance with international humanitarian law. About 300,000 Hmong fled to Thailand after the communist takeover in Laos in 1975.

ABC Radio Australia News - March 10, 2004.