Farmers have hopelessly defended their land at gunpoint while angushingly watching brick walls and developing houses increasingly mushroomed on their lost land; the rice field they used to see is gone forever.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Giang is one of the victims of this land robbery. In these days, she has continued to carry incense and offerings to her lost piece of land to pray. Ha Van Son, the ward police chief, has repeatedly ordered his troops to confiscate Mrs. Nguyen’s offerings and throw them away. On March 30, Mrs. Nguyen did it again and was almost killed for doing it. While she was praying, a bare breast thug known as Nguyen Dinh Thuc, who is reportedly hired to intimidate farmers, carried a big stick, rushed at Mrs. Nguyen and hit her very hard on the head; blood immediately streamed down on her skinny face; the thug was free to walk away leaving behind his badly wounded victim who could only get a first aid from her neighbors.
The brutal attack was captured on a video clip which is shared on YouTube. Apparently, the regime-hired security guards shown in the clip make believe that they are trying to stop the bare breast thug from attacking the poor woman; however, they actually help the guy to get the job done and secure him after the attack.
Duong Noi has been a hot spot of farmer resisting to illegal land grabs. The local authorities have made sweet deals with developers on farm lands and not hesitated to use force. In one village of Duong Noi, farmers have set up tents to guard and protect their land in the past few years. In recent days, police abducted 2 farmers, Mr. Tran Van Mien and Mr. Tran Van Sang, and farmers have heard that the two committed suicide in prison. Seeking truth and justice, on the evening of March 28, 2014, farmers staged a sizable protest at Ha Dong police station, where the victims are believed to be held, to demand their release or, at least, the right to visit them in prison and to know their detention status. Ha Dong police have turned down the requests from farmers and sent corps to beat protesters.
The tension has lasted for three days. Despite of police willing to crack down on protesters, farmers still remain steadfast on their struggle to seek justice and the release of their loved ones.
Their courage and endless sacrifices, alone, are not enough to bring an end to their tragedy. Human rights defenders worldwide please do not forget the victims of prejudice in Vietnam today.
Farmers staged a protest at Ha Dong police station on March 18, 2014, demanding the release of Mr. Tran Van Sang and Mr. Tran Van Mien.
