Political prisoner Pham Doan Trang gets another recognition for her human rights and freedom endeavors and the Vietnamese Communist Party is not happy with the award.
The “International Women of Courage” award that the United States gave to political prisoner Pham Doan Trang in Vietnam was considered by Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang to be “unobjective, inappropriate, and not valid. beneficial to the relationship between the two countries. Vietnamese state media reported on March 17 about Ms. Hang’s above statement at a press conference in Hanoi.
According to this spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Vietnam always protects and promotes the rights of its people, including the rights of women.
On March 14, Vietnamese dissident journalist Pham Doan Trang and 11 women from other countries around the world were awarded the International Women of Courage Award by the US Department of State.
At the award ceremony, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the unfair imprisonment of dissident journalist Pham Doan Trang and called on the Vietnamese Government to immediately release her.
In the description of journalist Pham Doan Trang on the website of the US State Department, the imprisoned journalist is said to have “courageously wrote about social issues not covered by the Vietnamese media”.
Journalist and human rights activist Pham Doan Trang was sentenced to nine years in prison on December 14, 2021 by the Hanoi first instance court for “conducting propaganda against the state”.
After the Hanoi Court sentenced Ms. Pham Doan Trang, the US State Department also issued a statement calling on the Vietnamese government to release Ms. Trang and allow all individuals in Vietnam to freely express themselves. opinion without fear of reprisal.
The Canadian Embassy in Hanoi also released a statement on its official Facebook page about the prison sentence of Ms. Pham Doan Trang. The Canadian diplomatic mission called on “Vietnamese authorities to allow journalists to practice without fear of arrest, harassment or retaliation, and to end widespread censorship and control over the media.” communication and freedom of speech.
Human rights organization Amnesty International released a statement calling the nine-year prison sentence handed down by a Hanoi court to journalist Pham Doan Trang “horrific”.
Writers International – a world-renowned organization for the protection of freedom of thought and expression of journalists and authors, released a press release calling the trial and the sentence that the Vietnamese government pronounced against the Vietnamese government. Pham Doan Trang is “an act of revenge to silence Pham Doan Trang, and to punish her for what she did.”
Reporters Without Borders – RSF calls on the international community to impose sanctions on the Vietnamese officials responsible for such an unacceptable decision against Ms. Pham Doan Trang.
The US State Department condemns the unfair imprisonment of dissident journalist Pham Doan Trang and calls on the Vietnamese Government to immediately release her.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made such remarks during the 16th International Women of Courage Award ceremony, 2022, taking place on the morning of March 14, at the US Department of State, with the participation of Mr. First Lady Jill Biden.
Journalist and human rights activist Pham Doan Trang was sentenced to nine years in prison in December 2021 by the Hanoi first instance court for “conducting propaganda against the state”.
The US State Department’s annual Women of Courage Award honors brave women around the world. This year, 12 women worldwide were honored by the US Department of State, including Ms. Pham Doan Trang. They are honored for their exceptional courage, strength and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, equity and gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls…
Activist Pham Doan Trang was praised by the head of the US State Department Antony Blinken:
“In December, Ms. Pham Doan Trang was sentenced to nine years in prison in Vietnam for writing about democracy and human rights. She wrote about the crackdown on protesters and secretly recorded police questioning her.
When the media in Vietnam stopped publishing her articles, Doan Trang found her own path. Despite facing constant threats, she continues to educate others about their rights.
We condemn unjust imprisonment. We call for her immediate release.”
In a video shown during the award ceremony, the US Ambassador to Vietnam, Marc Knapper, introduced in more detail the work of journalist Pham Doan Trang in promoting freedom of expression in Vietnam. :
“I am pleased to introduce journalist, author, and recipient of the 2022 International Women of Courage Award, Ms. Pham Doan Trang, who has fought for the right to expression in Vietnam.
Through articles and interviews, she has used legal arguments to advocate for human rights, the rule of law and to bring all voices into the political space.
As an author, Doan Trang has made political complexities accessible to citizens with the aim of expanding political representation. She talked about issues that Vietnamese media are not allowed to talk about.”
Dr. Nguyen Ba Tung, President of the Vietnam Human Rights Network shared that he was touched to hear that another Vietnamese woman had been awarded this award. He said it was the international recognition in general and the US Government in particular for the work of human rights defenders in Vietnam, despite the risks and threats that await:
“Firstly, we are very happy and feel that Pham Doan Trang is very deserving to receive this noble award. Today, Pham Doan Trang received this award, but until now, Pham Doan Trang has received many awards, even the Human Rights Network award, for Pham Doan Trang’s contributions in the field of fighting for the right to work. people in Vietnam and especially her courage. I am very touched.
This award is given to Pham Doan Trang, not just Pham Doan Trang, but to all the fighters in the country. Pham Doan Trang is a flower in that garden, not only Doan Trang, then this is the international and US government’s recognition that the fight for human rights in the country is just and right. religion.”
Mr. Will Nguyen, a Vietnamese democracy campaigner, is also an associate of journalist Pham Doan Trang in the publication of the Dong Tam Report (a publication about the police attack on Dong Tam village, Hanoi earlier in the year). 2020), told RFA what this award means for Doan Trang and the movement for democracy in general:
I think this award is a very important symbolic act for Vietnamese human rights activists, and of course I am always excited to know that the United States notices and recognizes such figures. leader in the Vietnamese democracy movement.
On the other hand, Trang still has no freedom. I think the US can put stronger pressure on the Vietnamese government to abide by its international commitments and respect the basic constitutional rights of citizens like Trang. In the end, we all want a better Vietnam, including Trang and me.
US Ambassador Marc Knapper, in a video broadcast at the awards ceremony, pledged to work to help and encourage a strong, prosperous Vietnam. He believes that in order to develop, Vietnam needs to embrace openness, transparency, inclusion and respect for the rights of all citizens, which Ms. Doan Trang has constantly done:
“We applaud you for your work as human rights activists. Your bravery continues to inspire people in Vietnam and around the world.”
Speaking at the award ceremony, First Lady Jill Biden emphasized that this award is a declaration that the United States always stands with those who courageously act for justice, truth:
“For the past 16 years, this award has empowered women around the world. It illuminates the struggles and strengths of women across the globe.
It is a declaration that the United States is on the side of these heroes. They are not alone. Today we honor these 12 women, and more than that, we create a platform where they can speak the truth in their own words.
We see the power they hold to confront the most formidable challenges of our time and push us to do more…”
Before Ms. Pham Doan Trang, there are two other Vietnamese women who have also been awarded the International Women of Courage Award by the United States: Ms. Ta Phong Tan in 2013 and Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh who was honored in 2017.
Does Pham Doan Trang Club actually exist? Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper published an article that says it does. But activists and independent journalists say it is old propaganda method of the State which is afraid of opposing voices.
Many people in the community of social activities and relatives of journalist Pham Doan Trang believe that Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper is trying to deter and distort the truth about an “object” who unfortunately caught their eye in the article. Recent news about Pham Doan Trang Club. They told RFA that they were not even aware of the existence of this club.
On November 3, 2020, the People’s Public Security website online had an article titled “Against the Peaceful Evolution, the farce of calling for the establishment of Pham Doan Trang Club”.
At the beginning of the article, please read verbatim: “The so-called “Pham Doan Trang Club” is just a trick to entice and gather people who go against the interests of the nation and nation, and sabotage the interests of the nation. stability and development of the country that this whole nation is building and cultivating day by day and hour by hour.
With 3 main questions, one is the truth behind the calls for Pham Doan Trang’s release, the second is to know who Pham Doan Trang is, and the third is the provisions of Vietnamese law for the establishment of Pham Doan Trang. The People’s Public Security Association and website continued to inform that: ” After the subject Pham Thi Doan Trang, also known as Pham Doan Trang, was arrested for the crime of “propaganda against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” according to Article 88 Penal Code 1999 and the crime of “Making, storing, distributing or propagating information, documents and items aimed at opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” under Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code, certain subjects cried out in cyberspace, demanding the establishment of the so-called “Pham Doan Trang Club”, also known as “The Women’s Club for Human Rights”, led by Pham Le Thuy. ”
Radio Free Asia tried to contact Pham Le Thuy as well as the Women’s Human Rights Club. Unfortunately, there is no sign that the telephony line is connected to the right person for the right job.
What is special to admit is that when any dissident is arrested, in addition to the legal proceedings, the Vietnamese communist press agencies are very involved, they put the whole system in place. politics to destroy people fighting for freedom and democracy for Vietnam. – Pham Thanh Nghien
Even a source closest to the incident refused to answer, saying that he was afraid of being harassed and arrested by the police when the case was unclear.
Such fear is understandable, as former political prisoner, blogger Pham Thanh Nghien said:
“ I don’t know who called Pham Doan Trang Club. A few months ago, there was also a group calling for the establishment of the Independent Trade Union, and someone asked me, I always affirm that now being persecuted like this, there is no real struggle organization or people. Which struggle calls for the establishment of a group. After Pham Doan Trang was arrested, I and some friends who loved Pham Doan Trang did not or did not think about setting up a group or organization, specifically the Pham Doan Trang Club.
And it is not strange if the Pham Doan Trang Club is considered a trick, a hostile intention to destroy in the eyes of the Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper, the powerful media agency in the village on the right side. The next opinion of blogger Pham Thanh Nghien:
Any independent civil society group or organization that has the goal of promoting human rights is heavily criticized, criticized and slandered by the police and the State. convicted again”.
“For me, this is nothing special. What is special to admit is that when any dissident is arrested, in addition to the legal proceedings, the Vietnamese communist press agencies are very involved, they put the whole system in place. politics to destroy people fighting for freedom and democracy for Vietnam. Even though the person himself has been captured, that means there is no chance or ability to defend himself anymore. This is very familiar, which means that it is not strange, but it is not that we accept such familiar things . “
Former reporter of Communist Magazine, now independent journalist Nguyen Vu Binh, explains why the call to establish Pham Doan Trang Club caught the eye of Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper:
“This information is quite new but if that is the case then it is also what every civil society establishes its own Clubs and groups. It’s the right of the people.”
“The authorities are always vigilant about this, the People’s Public Security newspaper talking about Pham Doan Trang Club, and then calling for Pham Doan Trang’s release is a trick, smearing the people fighting here. Ms. Pham Doan Trang can be a preemptive preemptive blow. I think using the word preemptively is the norm. Against peaceful evolution is a familiar article in the mainstream press.
“Many people do not know that the article has given it like that, people will go to find out who Pham Doan Trang is, unintentionally stimulating the curiosity of bystanders. It also has this side and the other side” .
With the question “First of all, it is necessary to find out who Pham Doan Trang is, is Pham Doan Trang a person, event or event, raised by the Cong An Nhan Dan online newspaper and then answered that “Pham Doan Trang is not in the list. the list of “contributing to the socio-economic development of the country”.
Illustration. Journalist Pham Doan Trang and her books
Still according to the Cong An Nhan newspaper, Pham Doan Trang, 42 years old, was arrested for activities infringing on national security and against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, who used to go abroad illegally and was arrested. Disciplinary governing body forced to quit, then “changed color”, joined and established and operated many illegal associations and groups, wrote for websites of enemies who were anti-national and anti-national. , the nation, used to be the representative face of the so-called “free publishing house”, spreading many materials with propaganda content, distorting the democracy and human rights situation in Vietnam, opposing the Party, The State and the regime and smear the leaders of the Party and State, incite the overthrow of the political regime in our country.
From the position that “many people dream of” ie born into a basic family, graduated from Hanoi – Amsterdam School and Faculty of Economics, Hanoi Foreign Trade University, Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper continued, Pham Doan Trang became a lawbreaker. The acts that the subject has committed need to be dealt with strictly according to Vietnamese law.
Reviewer, former political prisoner and blogger Pham Thanh Nghien argued:
“I don’t want to be someone who is too proud of my friend. Pham Doan Trang, like some other women, dreams of a normal life in a country with good politics.
“In terms of fighting, I affirm that Pham Doan Trang is very brave. Trang is a person with aspiration, honesty, frankness, simplicity and affection. With her qualifications, Trang can lead a well-off economically and mentally comfortable. If she hadn’t become a fighter for democracy in a society without freedom of expression like in Vietnam, Trang would have lived differently. But if that was the case, there wouldn’t be a Pham Doan Trang today.”
“The failure of the authorities is to arrest a person who has planned for himself the worst path on the path of struggle. Capture or not, for Pham Doan Trang, this is first of all a victory over himself, a victory over fear, a symbol of the aspiration for freedom for Vietnam.”
The decision of Vietnamese law on the establishment of the Association is the third title of the article against the peaceful evolution by calling for the establishment of the Pham Doan Trang Club. The article asserts that “Vietnam already has Decree 45/2010/ND-CP, Decree 33/2012/ND-CP and Circular 03/2013/TT-BNV, all of which are legal documents and regulations. establishment of an association.
The establishment of an association is voluntary, the article emphasizes, but must contribute to the country’s socio-economic development, and must be organized and operated in compliance with the Constitution, laws and association charters.
For independent researcher Nguyen Quang A, who knows a lot about democracy writer and is also the voice of Freelance Publishing House Pham Doan Trang, invokes so many regulations to justify each prohibition against success. The establishment of Pham Doan Trang Club is an old propaganda method of the State which is afraid of opposing voices:
“I didn’t know there was a call for the establishment of the Pham Doan Trang Club, nor did I read the Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper and was not surprised at all about the argument that it was boring in Vietnam.”
“Anyone who doesn’t shut up and doesn’t say what they want will be considered a peaceful development, an argument that has been repeated for decades. Sometimes they raise it themselves to thwart the call.”
Speaking against peaceful developments, criticizing the call to establish Pham Doan Trang Club is a farce, showing the poor professionalism of a newspaper that often has to obey the communist party. This is the opinion of former journalist Le Phu Khai of the Voice of Vietnam, the author of the book “The Word Ai Article” accused of being anti-party, causing him many difficulties like the present activist Pham Doan Trang:
“In the past, the state-owned press was still the same, so in China a very famous general, Mr. Liao Huazhou, said, “In China, the most lack of information is the press.” It’s the same with Vietnam, especially the state-owned press is lacking in information.”
“Miss Doan Trang is not guilty at all. The Constitution of Vietnam clearly states the right to freedom of publication, freedom of thought and freedom of the press. She only writes books peacefully, expresses her opinions, her thoughts, but imprisoning her like that is a violation of human rights.”
“The Vietnamese Constitution recognizes the right to form associations, but those who propagate the Constitution are arrested and imprisoned.”
According to Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper, the so-called “Pham Doan Trang Club” does not fully guarantee all elements and does not comply with the provisions of Vietnamese law.
This conclusion of Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper was considered by a group of independent journalists in the country as heavy on performance but empty in meaning.
