...It is time for all classes of citizens to unify, without distinguishing between right and left-side, even with the government and party officials who still love their country. We must all protect the remaining values of the nation, as they are at risk of fading away. Even though it is late, there is still time to democratize Vietnam. Without democracy, the nation will deteriorate, its people miserable. The nation could lose its independence to foreign country; there is nothing to guarantee any bright future for those politically incompetent and unpatriotic leaders either...
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In consideration of
1- The Vietnamese government only began objections after a week had passed since the Chinese stationing of a large oil rig HD-981 inside Vietnamese territorial waters. However, their reactions, from only the low ranking officials of the Vietnamese government and the patrol vessels of the coast guard, were limited and inadequate against the provocative and aggressive attitudes of Beijing. They displayed compliant, cowardly attitudes.
2- This compliance is the cause of our problems, and this cowardice has led to a failure in protecting our country. Such costly experiences can be seen in many kingdoms throughout Vietnamese history. Each time history is repeated, the Vietnamese people once again suffer under their undeserving country leaders. If right at this instance, the government were to organise a demonstration against China’s aggressive actions, would citizens support their initiative?
3- The people’s belief in the Communist regime has faded out. This is an immense failure for the nation. Distrust for the regime can lead to indifference in citizens, even at times of danger of invasion by another country. A main reason for this distrust has been the attitude of the government. Through its political leaders and police, it has always tried to prevent, control, and harass patriotic citizens protesting against China, especially since 2011 to today.
4- Recently, amidst feelings of bitterness and hurt pride, the people have publicly pointed out the modern-day counterparts of Tran Ich Tac, Mac Dang Dung, and Le Chieu Thong. They criticize the so-called “Foreign Policy of the Wise and Flexible Mind” which, in other words, is known as the “Kneeling Foreign Policy”. The actions resulting from this “kneeling” policy, both discrete and open, have eliminated the remaining determination of the people and military. This “kneeling” policy protects 500 parliament members and around 200 members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam from ever serving in battle. Moreover, it also deters those that would voluntarily fight for their nation; none would sacrifice themselves for greedy interest groups ready to desert the country in times of duress.
5-With China as the friend of “Four Benefits”, recent events might signify only the beginning: beginning a new page in history with the re-enslavement of Vietnam, a new campaign gauging the reaction of the people, an open menacing of Vietnam, finally moving towards an open invasion of Vietnam. Facing this danger of invasion, Vietnamese government leaders have not acted adequately in preventing it. At the very least, they should act with the same steadfast determination they use in harassing their own citizens that fight against foreign invasion! There are no signs to show any possible repentance or solidarity from the Vietnamese government. Nor do they express any resolve to support a rally of patriotism for all - both intellectuals and the wider community – held in at least at two main cities, Hanoi and Saigon.
6- The planned demonstration on Sunday 11 May 2014 in Hanoi and Saigon might be the gloomy opening of the Vietnamese people’s song. But the historical value of all societal classes (scholars, intellectuals, religious leaders, students, farmers, workers, veterans, elderly/former members of the party, including discerning army soldiers and police officers) remain as they were. These people cannot rest easily in a turbulent nation; they worry for the miserable future of a conquered nation. They cannot throw out the painful past of “a thousand years under Chinese dominance”.
For these reasons, we, the undersigned civil society organizations, declare:
1 – A resolute condemnation of Chinese actions infringing upon Vietnamese sovereignty. At the same time, we oppose the unacceptably weak stance of the Vietnamese government.
2 – The Vietnamese government must immediately conduct an investigation regarding the existence of a “dirty” deal between high ranking Vietnamese officials and Chinese officials, which could have allowed China to act so blatantly and carelessly towards Vietnam.
3- As a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Vietnamese government must unconditionally respect the rights of peaceful protesters that the Human Rights Committee has recently passed on April 2014. The trust of the people must be regained by discontinuing prohibitive and harassing policies towards those protesting to protect their country, not to overthrow the regime.
4- It is time for all classes of citizens to unify, without distinguishing between right and left-side, even with the government and party officials who still love their country. We must all protect the remaining values of the nation, as they are at risk of fading away.
5- Even though it is late, there is still time to democratize Vietnam. Without democracy, the nation will deteriorate, its people miserable. The nation could lose its independence to foreign country; there is nothing to guarantee any bright future for those politically incompetent and unpatriotic leaders either.
Vietnam, 9 May 2014
Undersigned by:
1. Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience - Dr. Nguyễn Đan Quế, Father Phan Văn Lợi
2. Vietnamese Women for Human Rights - Ms Dương Thị Tân, Ms Huỳnh Thục Vy
3. Brotherhood for Democracy - Lawyer Nguyễn Văn Đài
4. Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam - Honorable Venerate Thích Không Tánh
5. High Tide Humanist Movement - Dr. Nguyễn Đan Quế
6. Bạch Đằng Giang Foundation: Mr Phạm Bá Hải
7. Association for Victims of Injustice - Mr. Nguyễn Xuân Ngữ
8. Hoa Hao Buddhist Association - Mr. Lê Quang Liêm
9. Vietnamese Inter-Faith Association Father Lê Ngọc Thanh
10. Bloc 8406 Democracy Movement - Mr. Đỗ Nam Hải
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