Vietnam decree tightens control over protests
Vietnam has enacted a new decree tightening control over demonstrations and banning unauthorised gatherings in a bid to prevent public disorder.Officials say the text was signed last week by the Prime Minister, Phan Van Khai. State media reports say the decree requires that all gatherings not organised by the ruling Communist Party or state bodies must be approved in advance.
The venue, the slogans to be used and the purpose of the meeting or demonstration must also be registered. Vietnam has witnessed several incidents of unrest in recent years, mainly linked to land expropriation and corruption of local officials, according to the AFP newsagency. Thousands of ethnic minority people in the poor Central Highlands region took to the streets in April last year, protesting against confiscation of ancestral lands and religious persecution.
ABC Radio Australia - March 23, 2005
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