June 26, 2015

VIETNAM CSOs’ JOINT STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE (JUNE 26, 2015)

by • [Human Rights]

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Photo: Vietnamese activists with Mr. Garrett Harkins (the US Consulate) marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture at Lien Tri pagoda, Saigon

Photo: Vietnamese activists with Mr. Garrett Harkins (the US Consulate) marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture at Lien Tri pagoda, Saigon

Now we hear again the call for help from hundreds of people were taken to the police station to be tortured to death because of unverified reason or a certain violation; from a thousand defendant beaten badly during investigation, being maltreated for a certain period during imprisonment. In addition, there is the outcry of thousands of prisoners’ relatives to seek justice, humanity for maltreatment.

Civil Society Organizations | Jun 26, 2015

Now we hear again the voice of UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon in 2012: On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we express our solidarity with, and support for, the hundreds of thousands of victims of torture and their family members throughout the world who endure such suffering.   We also note the obligation of States not only to prevent torture but to provide all torture victims with effective and prompt redress, compensation and appropriate social, psychological, medical and other forms of rehabilitation. Both the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council have now strongly urged States to establish and support rehabilitation centers or facilities.

Now we hear again the call for help from hundreds of people were taken to the police station to be tortured to death because of unverified reason or a certain violation; from a thousand defendant beaten badly during investigation, being maltreated for a certain period during imprisonment. In addition, there is the outcry of thousands of prisoners’ relatives to seek justice, humanity for maltreatment.

Such outcry echoes strongly as Vietnam is the member of the Human rights Council and recently signing the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Not only strongly but also such outcry increasingly can be heard anywhere because the Communist regime is more and more brutal and totalitarian. The array of facts veirified:

  1. Report January 2014 of the Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience about the violation of human rights (including the different indexes),
  2. Open letter in May 2015 of many civil society organizations sent to the Minister of public security
  3. Condemning and opposing violence, report on May 21, 2015.

Today, on the occasion of the 17th anniversary (1998-2015) of the international day in support of victims of torture, we publish this joint statement as:

  1. A sharing with the international community on the most serious and painful human rights issues in the conscience and humanity civilization.
  2. An alarm with the whole Vietnamese fellows about the evil link of police, public security police and thugs to beat citizens rampantly even in the daytime.
  3. A reminder to the authorities and the police forces about the obligation of States not only to prevent torture but to provide all torture victims with effective and prompt redress, compensation and appropriate social, psychological, medical and other forms of rehabilitation.
  4. A call to choose the 26 June day as a national holiday to end violence, torture in Vietnam.

Vietnam, June 26, 2015

Civil Society Organizations signed:

  1. Bach Dang Giang Foundation: Pham Ba Hai (MBE)
  2. Boxit Vietnam Forum: Prof. Pham Xuan Yem, Prof. Nguyen Hue Chi
  3. Civil Society Forum: Nguyen Quang A (Ph.D.)
  4. Cao Dai church – Humanity Charter: Mr. Hua Phi, Mr. Nguyen Kim Lan, Mrs. Bach Phung.
  5. Evangelical Lutheran Community Church Vietnam-America: Pastor Nguyen Hoang Hoa.
  6. Vietnamese Political and Religious Prisoners Friendship Association: Nguyen Bac Truyen (LLB)
  7. Brotherhood for Democracy Asociation: Lawyer Nguyen Van Dai
  8. Religion and Ethnic Minorities Defenders: Mr. Huynh Trong Hieu
  9. Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience: Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, Catholic Priest Phan Van Loi.
  10. Independent Journalists Association  of Vietnam: reporter Pham Chi Dung
  11. Vietnamese Women for Human Rights: Ms.Huynh Thuc Vy, Ms.Tran Thuy Nga, Mrs. Tran Thi Hai
  12. Bloc 8406: writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, Eng. Do Nam Hai
  13. Viet Labor: Mr. Truong Minh Duc
  14. Nguyen Kim Dien Group: Father Nguyen Huu Giai.
  15. Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, Purity: Mr. Le Quang Liem, Mr. Le Van Soc
  16. Delegation of Vietnamese United Buddhists Church: Ven. Thich Khong Tanh.
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