The Human Rights Watch report “On the Margins: Rights Abuses of Ethnic Khmer in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta“, documents ongoing violations of the rights of the Khmer Krom in southern Vietnam and also abuses in Cambodia against Khmer Krom who have fled there for refuge. Wary about possible Khmer Krom nationalist aspirations, Vietnam has suppressed peaceful [...]

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The editors of two leading Vietnamese newspapers were fired on January 2, 2009, the latest in a series of measures by the Vietnamese government to stifle criticism and dissent, Human Rights Watch said today. In December, the government announced strict new regulations banning internet blogs that disseminate politically sensitive content deemed subversive by the government.
During [...]

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Writers Banned, Censored, Harassed, and Jailed
Eight Vietnamese writers are among a diverse group of 34 writers from 19 countries to receive Hellman/Hammett awards this year in recognition of the courage they showed when facing political persecution, Human Rights Watch said today.
Link to hrw.org

Tags: Vietnam

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Government Attempt to Take Over Funeral Risks Confrontation
Members of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) should be allowed to organize and attend funeral services for their patriarch without government interference, Human Rights Watch said today. The Vietnamese government has announced that the state-sanctioned Buddhist church will organize the funeral for the UBCV Supreme [...]

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Human Rights Defender Released from Prison, but Whereabouts Unknown
The Vietnamese authorities should immediately lift any restrictions on the liberty of Buddhist monk Tim Sakhorn, who was released from prison in Vietnam on June 28, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today. Sakhorn’s whereabouts are unknown. He was last seen in the company of government officials.
Link to [...]

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Buddhists Remain Behind Bars While Vietnam Hosts UN Buddhist Celebration
As Vietnam prepares to host the United Nations Day of Visak next week, one of the most sacred days for Buddhists, the government should cease the persecution, harassment and imprisonment of Buddhists and other independent religious groups, Human Rights Watch said today. More than 400 people [...]

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Using the Olympic torch as an excuse to crack down on peaceful critics is yet another bitter twist in Viet Nam’s pattern of repressing legitimate and peaceful dissent. Those arrested before and during the torch relay should be released immediately, said Amnesty International.
“Furthermore, the Vietnamese authorities must urgently investigate allegations of beatings against those detained, [...]

Tags: Vietnam

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