Dân làm báo | Jan 03, 2015
Early November, 2015 the Vietnamese communist government, along with 11 other countries, signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in which labor interests are respected and defended with a view to accept workers’ freedom to form independent labor unions.
However, the communist regime resorted to violence to brutally suppress labor rights activists in Vietnam right after making those commitments.
On 22 November, 2015 Ms.Do Thi Minh Hanh and Mr. Truong Minh Duc, two of Free Viet Labor Federation members, were detained and severely beaten while they were consulting a lawyer to help workers in Dong Nai province in their struggle to secure their legitimate rights.
Most recent was the Dec.25 arrest and brutal beating of Hoang Duc Binh, who was retaining possession of 4,000 Free Viet Labor leaflets which quoted Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s statements on the founding of independent labor unions.
Besides, at least 8 other social activists were also brutally assaulted as they showed up at the police station at Hoa Thanh ward, Tan Phu district, Saigon to demand Binh’s release.
These behaviors have once more revealed the treacherous face of Vietnam’s communist regime, especially with regard to its international commitments.
Ruthless suppresion
Despite the brutal repressive behaviors of the communist police, Ms. Do Thi Minh Hanh – Free Viet Labor representative – insisted that the struggle be continued to form authentic independent labor unions through which nationwide workers’ legitimate rights can be defended.
Hanh herself was also arrested and mercilessly hit on 25th December, 2015 when she arrived at the police station to secure the release of Binh.
Danlambao had an interview with Hanh on 26th December, 2015. She said:
“Hoang Binh was taken into custody at Hoa Thanh ward police station, Tan Phu district since he helped me with carrying 4,000 LaborViet leaflets to send to workers. These leaflets contain Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s statement that there should be independent unions in Vietnam. This is the very reason why he was arrested.
We gathered at Hoa Thanh police station to secure Binh’s release. In here, the police used ‘aggressive women like tigresses wanting to devour their prey and murderous-looking thugs seemingly poised to eat us alive.’
Phat, I witnessed, was mercilessly beaten and dragged into the station though he was only 15. Also, I saw my partner Bang being dragged inside. I was hit on the face and scratched; my mouth gagged, I was violently pulled and overpowered by nearly ten women.
What’s more, cameras and cellphones of some young passers-by who inadvertently took photos at the scene were snatched. They themselves were hit and pinched so badly that some bled. One, whose arm had been broken before , had to beg for releasing his arm. But the more he begged, the more they deliberately squeezed his arm.
What I saw yesterday was quite indescribable; it’s horrible.”
Blatant disregard for international commitments
The government here has never expected an independent labor union in Vietnam, but they signed TPP which contains their commitment to form independent labor unions. The fact, however, is that I was assaulted recently in Dong Nai province. Also, one VietLabor member, who was carrying our leaflets containing PM Dung’s statement, was detained; those who came to the police station to demand his release were ruthlessly repressed. This is quite a sad truth for Vietnam as the authorities are going against what they signed in TPP.
These moves are more conspicuous and horrible than the commitments they made to join WTO.
Actually, there were exciting stages during the process of finalizing and signing TPP. People were following it from the beginning and dreaming about a Vietnam, where democracy and human rights improve with a view to enable this country to stay away from China’s orbit.
But things are different in reality. Everything seems to be reversed after the signing. Labor rights activists were thought to be better protected, but in fact they are being ruthlessly repressed these days, in almost every respect; not only labor rights activists but also human rights advocates, like lawyer Nguyen Van Dai and Ms.Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, are in the same boat.
This has shown that they currently want to deliberately annul TPP and do it aggressively, getting rid of the commitments they made earlier.
Worried
I’m really uneasy and feel worried about the prospect of labor unions in Vietnam. Current developments have shown that it’s unlikely to form one in this country.
Recent arrests of human rights and freedom activists can be seen as a devastating blow or as a really special “gift” sent to the U.S. and other TPP signatories.
This crackdown, in my view, can be seen as a challenge telling the West that they are “really strong”. It’s unclear whether they are strong or not; I’ve got no specific evidence to prove.
They are ready to get rid of whatever commitments they have made. The message is “ Wait there… We won’t let the commitments made in TPP become reality.”
By what means ? By means of repressing, detaining and imprisoning those who struggle for human rights, especially those who advocate independent labor unions.
Determined to form the independent labor union
We’ve been through a lot. I’ve told my partners that our ideal and love for work will exist forever.
Getting jailed one day, like Hoang Binh now, is something quite predictable. I really care about him, but I believe that somewhere in prison he’s smiling as he has realized something good for the path chosen. For the remaining partners, we are no different.
I myself have been in jail. I’ll regret nothing if I am unfortunately taken there again. Maybe my partners will upset, but maintain the morale amongst us and carry on with our work. Do not give up and instead firmly believe in the future.
No matter how hard it is, we need to struggle for true and authentic independent labor unions in Vietnam to defend the legitimate rights and interests of the workers.”
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January 4, 2016
Despite crackdown, Free Viet Labor determinedly remains unflinching
by Nhan Quyen • [Human Rights]
Dân làm báo | Jan 03, 2015
Early November, 2015 the Vietnamese communist government, along with 11 other countries, signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in which labor interests are respected and defended with a view to accept workers’ freedom to form independent labor unions.
However, the communist regime resorted to violence to brutally suppress labor rights activists in Vietnam right after making those commitments.
On 22 November, 2015 Ms.Do Thi Minh Hanh and Mr. Truong Minh Duc, two of Free Viet Labor Federation members, were detained and severely beaten while they were consulting a lawyer to help workers in Dong Nai province in their struggle to secure their legitimate rights.
Most recent was the Dec.25 arrest and brutal beating of Hoang Duc Binh, who was retaining possession of 4,000 Free Viet Labor leaflets which quoted Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s statements on the founding of independent labor unions.
Besides, at least 8 other social activists were also brutally assaulted as they showed up at the police station at Hoa Thanh ward, Tan Phu district, Saigon to demand Binh’s release.
These behaviors have once more revealed the treacherous face of Vietnam’s communist regime, especially with regard to its international commitments.
Ruthless suppresion
Despite the brutal repressive behaviors of the communist police, Ms. Do Thi Minh Hanh – Free Viet Labor representative – insisted that the struggle be continued to form authentic independent labor unions through which nationwide workers’ legitimate rights can be defended.
Hanh herself was also arrested and mercilessly hit on 25th December, 2015 when she arrived at the police station to secure the release of Binh.
Danlambao had an interview with Hanh on 26th December, 2015. She said:
“Hoang Binh was taken into custody at Hoa Thanh ward police station, Tan Phu district since he helped me with carrying 4,000 LaborViet leaflets to send to workers. These leaflets contain Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s statement that there should be independent unions in Vietnam. This is the very reason why he was arrested.
We gathered at Hoa Thanh police station to secure Binh’s release. In here, the police used ‘aggressive women like tigresses wanting to devour their prey and murderous-looking thugs seemingly poised to eat us alive.’
Phat, I witnessed, was mercilessly beaten and dragged into the station though he was only 15. Also, I saw my partner Bang being dragged inside. I was hit on the face and scratched; my mouth gagged, I was violently pulled and overpowered by nearly ten women.
What’s more, cameras and cellphones of some young passers-by who inadvertently took photos at the scene were snatched. They themselves were hit and pinched so badly that some bled. One, whose arm had been broken before , had to beg for releasing his arm. But the more he begged, the more they deliberately squeezed his arm.
What I saw yesterday was quite indescribable; it’s horrible.”
Blatant disregard for international commitments
The government here has never expected an independent labor union in Vietnam, but they signed TPP which contains their commitment to form independent labor unions. The fact, however, is that I was assaulted recently in Dong Nai province. Also, one VietLabor member, who was carrying our leaflets containing PM Dung’s statement, was detained; those who came to the police station to demand his release were ruthlessly repressed. This is quite a sad truth for Vietnam as the authorities are going against what they signed in TPP.
These moves are more conspicuous and horrible than the commitments they made to join WTO.
Actually, there were exciting stages during the process of finalizing and signing TPP. People were following it from the beginning and dreaming about a Vietnam, where democracy and human rights improve with a view to enable this country to stay away from China’s orbit.
But things are different in reality. Everything seems to be reversed after the signing. Labor rights activists were thought to be better protected, but in fact they are being ruthlessly repressed these days, in almost every respect; not only labor rights activists but also human rights advocates, like lawyer Nguyen Van Dai and Ms.Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, are in the same boat.
This has shown that they currently want to deliberately annul TPP and do it aggressively, getting rid of the commitments they made earlier.
Worried
I’m really uneasy and feel worried about the prospect of labor unions in Vietnam. Current developments have shown that it’s unlikely to form one in this country.
Recent arrests of human rights and freedom activists can be seen as a devastating blow or as a really special “gift” sent to the U.S. and other TPP signatories.
This crackdown, in my view, can be seen as a challenge telling the West that they are “really strong”. It’s unclear whether they are strong or not; I’ve got no specific evidence to prove.
They are ready to get rid of whatever commitments they have made. The message is “ Wait there… We won’t let the commitments made in TPP become reality.”
By what means ? By means of repressing, detaining and imprisoning those who struggle for human rights, especially those who advocate independent labor unions.
Determined to form the independent labor union
We’ve been through a lot. I’ve told my partners that our ideal and love for work will exist forever.
Getting jailed one day, like Hoang Binh now, is something quite predictable. I really care about him, but I believe that somewhere in prison he’s smiling as he has realized something good for the path chosen. For the remaining partners, we are no different.
I myself have been in jail. I’ll regret nothing if I am unfortunately taken there again. Maybe my partners will upset, but maintain the morale amongst us and carry on with our work. Do not give up and instead firmly believe in the future.
No matter how hard it is, we need to struggle for true and authentic independent labor unions in Vietnam to defend the legitimate rights and interests of the workers.”