Along a dark corridor a line of twelve middle-aged faces stare into the British Embassy. These are the Ambassadors at Hanoi before me. The first face is that of John Fawcett, who was here in 1973 when the United Kingdom and the then Democratic Republic of Vietnam established diplomatic relations.
The custom of keeping the photos former Ambassadors on the Embassy walls – not unique to Hanoi – appears to be fading. No doubt it looks somewhat pompous. But to me the tradition is a nice reminder both of history and of mortality.
I am sad to report that Peter Keegan Williams, who served as Ambassador from 1990 to 1997, is now among those who are no longer alive, having passed away in December. I know that Peter fell in love with Vietnam when he served here and continued to love this extraordinary country after he had left.
Guest of honour of the Celebration was Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
He made a major impact. His unusually long posting saw the first real flowering of diplomatic relations, including the opening of the British Council, the beginning of Britain’s aid programme, and the first ever visits to London by a Vietnamese Prime Minister and to Hanoi by a British Foreign Secretary (the second was last year).
He continued to visit Vietnam in support of British business, and was planning another trip for this year.
Since the signature of our Strategic Partnership agreement in 2010, our two governments have made further remarkable progress together in many areas to change the nature of the relationship. I spoke about that at a reception last Thursday to launch our fortieth anniversary celebrations.
That special evening included a colourful Cong Tri fashion show as well as songs from the wonderful British group Black Voices (whose performance at my Residence last year has been described as “a lifetime highlight”).
Guest of honour was Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
Our programme for this anniversary year is packed and ambitious. I am happy to announce first of all that His Excellency Nguyen Phu Trong will pay the first ever visit to London by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam as early as next week.
I hope my predecessors would approve. Carpe diem.
enroll
Wilson@twitter.com
Dear Antony,
Congratulation!!! Forty years of diplomatic relations between UK and Vietnam. This year, I hope British Government more consider about Vietnamese civil rights. Please stop Vietnamese polices crackdown Vietnamese farmer who lost their land, human rights lawyer & dissidents.
Regards
I used to be recommended this blog by my cousin.
I’m not positive whether this post is written by means of him as no one else recognise such precise approximately my difficulty. You are amazing! Thanks!
Dear Mr Stokes,
Congartulation & hope the relationship will be based more on the improvement of respecting civil rights for the interests of the people in Vietnam, rather than the interests of the Vietnamese Communist Party.
Violation of HR and Civil Rights in recent years in Vietnam has stepped up and got worse with dozens cases of dissident victims, which have been reported in the international media & other foreign ministries. A very typical oppression recently is the sentence of 14 Young Catholic Activists in Nghe An province, which were condemed by the international.
Sincerely
PART I
KIDNAP
Case 1: Young Catholic Activists kidnapped and tortured
Summary / Abstract:
Young Vinh Catholic activists, who were kidnapped & have tortured psychologically and physically by police’ excessive & violent force from August to Christmas Eve, 2011 are as follows: Hồ Đức Hòa, Đặng Xuân Diệu, Paulus Lê Văn Sơn, Nguyễn Văn Duyệt, Nguyễn Văn Oai, Peter Nguyễn Xuân Anh, Hồ Văn Oanh, Thái Văn Dung, Paulus Trần Minh Nhật, Phero Nguyễn Đình Cương, Nông Hùng Anh, Đặng Thị Ngọc Minh, Nguyễn Đặng Minh Mẫn, Nguyễn Đặng Vĩnh Phúc, Chu Mạnh Sơn, Gioan Baotixita Hoang Phong, Phero Trần Vũ Anh Bình and Trần Hửu Đức.
On 29 December 2011, Asia News from Hanoi reported: “Pierre Nguyên Dinh Cuong was taken by men in plain clothes, without an arrest warrant. The sixteenth since end of July to undergo such treatment. People involved in groups like the John Paul II Center for the defence of life or as the Movement of Catholic entrepreneurs and intellectuals on the rise in northern Vietnam. For weeks, the families left with no knowledge of their whereabouts. … .
The campaign of arrests of young Catholics continues in the north of Vietnam, a campaign carried out with kidnapping techniques, without any charges and leaving families without any news for weeks. Since the end of July, sixteen young people have suffered this fate. The most recent case concerns Pierre Nguyên Dinh Cuong,, a young man of a parish of Vinh, who on Christmas Eve, December 24, was abducted on his way home from the home of a doctor, his friend. As reported by Eglises d’Asie, three men in plain clothes handcuffed him and loaded into a taxi that drove away. The next day, one of the brothers of the victim recognized the cab and its occupants, chased them and forced them on a moped to stop. He wanted news about what had happened to his brother, but the three grabbed him by the throat, refused to respond and fled. Other friends of Pierre Cuong, however, succeeded in following the taxi and saw him enter the Provincial Public Security headquarters. No doubt, among the friends of the young man kidnapped, who charge that the Public security officials are using these abduction methods. The arrest, in fact, took place without a warrant, nor have Pierre’s relatives been informed of the place where the young man is being detained. In the opinion of friends and neighbours, the kidnapping is linked to the young man’s commitment in the ecclesial movements and charitable and social activities, in particular with John Paul II Center for the defence of life.
The case of Pierre Cuong is similar to that of another 15 kidnapped, nine of whom from the diocese of Vinh, as told by Bishop Nguyen Thai Hop. The last was Paul Tran Minh Nhat, who studied at the faculty of foreign languages and computer science in Hanoi. He too is a native of the diocese and weeks have passed before his family could find out something about him. Several of those arrested belonged to John Paul II Center for the defense of life or the Movement of Catholic entrepreneurs and intellectuals, both of which are flourishing in northern Vietnam. … .
On December 22, another four young Catholics were arrested, Nguyên Xuân Anh, Nguyên Oai, Nguyên Duyêt and Thai Van Dung, interned in B14 they were allowed receive a representative of their families. While the physical conditions of the four are not of concern, the moral seems to leave something to be desired, but one wonders why only four prisoners were allowed to receive visits.”
On 9 January 2013, 14 human rights activists in Viet Nam’s Nghe An province received sentences of up to 13 years in prison for their work to promote political reform, democratization and human rights, to be followed by periods of up to five years of controlled residence. In one of those cases, the sentence has been suspended, making him easily vulnerable to re-arrest. The Supreme People’s Court of Nghe An Province convicted them on 8 & 9 January 2013, on charges related to their exercise of their right of free expression. The 14 convicted are Dang Ngoc Minh, Dang Xuan Dieu, Ho Duc Hoa, Ho Van Oanh, Le Van Son, Nguyen Dang Minh Man, Nguyen Dang Vinh Phuc, Nguyen Dinh Cuong, Nguyen Van Duyet, Nguyen Van Oai, Nguyen Xuan Oanh, Nong Hung Anh, Thai Van Dung, and Tran Minh Nhat (for biographical information on each, see Sources of References & Evidences below). They were arrested between August and December 2011 and held for more than a year before being put on trial.
Showing the sensitivity of the case, large numbers of police were deployed at the court. Police temporarily detained and manhandled a number of bloggers who attempted to attend the trial. Dozens of supporters — including elderly women and Catholic clergy — were physically attacked by police and temporarily detained,”
After the trial, United Nations, Foreigne Ministry of USA, France, Germany and NGOs (Amnesty International, Human Right Watch, JWB, Front Line Defenders, Index on Censorship, Media Legal Defence Initiative, Southeast Asian Press Alliance , …..) expressed their concerns and urged Hanoi to an unconditionally release the above 14 victims immediately. They also acused the authorities in Vietnam for using Articles 88 & 79 as means of oppression. “The conviction of yet more peaceful activists is another example of a government that is increasingly afraid of the opinions of its own people,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “Instead of imprisoning critics, the Vietnamese government should be honoring them for their efforts to address the myriad problems facing the country that the government itself has also identified.”
END.
Dear Antony,
1st. of all : A happy new year 2013 and what a great surprise for me, that you have started to write again after all this time.
So well, 1973 and 40 years of diplomatic relations of 2 great countries.But how fast is time running. And – in my way of thinking -
who would ever believe of how outstanding and successful all the decade ‘s after ’73 would have become ?
So thanks a lot for this link “…fortieth anniversary…”. It helped me a lot. That ‘s why I ‘m really looking forward to hear and read from you again. But there is 1 thing of which I ‘m already be sure: Next weeks visit of His Excellency Nguyen Phu Trong to London will be another milestone at the UK- Vietnamese relationships. (Of ) what more could youask or wish at the start of a new year?
BW, Ingo-Steven Wais, Stuttgart
Dear Anthony,
Firstly, I would like to congratulate and thanking you for all your work in building strong relationships with VN. With Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to the coming up, may I take this opportunity to ask you to address the escalations of human rights abuses by the Vietnamese Government towards peaceful human right activists and defenders as well as bloggers and community workers. Recent sentences of the 14 Catholic Activists and other dissidents such as Dieu Cay, Ta Phong Tran and Phan Thanh Hai showed the lack of respects for basic human rights by the VN government. Please call upon the Vietnamese government to cease its use of heavy-handed intimidation tactics and arbitrary use of vague legislation to silence citizens.
Best regards,
I blog frequently and I genuinely thank you for your content.
Your article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.
bookmarked!!, I like your site!
Dear Mr Stokes,
While celebrating the anniversary of 40 years in relationship with the totalitarian country of Vietnam we hope you will not forget this dictatorial regime had been oppressing its own people who dare speak up for democracy and human rights in Vietnam. On 24/9/2012 they sentenced bloggers Dieu Cay, Ta Phong Tan and Phan Thanh Hai 12 years, 10 years and 4 years in prison respectively for the “crime” of “anti-state propaganda” at the end of a summary trial in southern Vietnam’s Saigon. At the beginning of the New Year, on 10/1/2013, they also threw the very harsh and unjust jail sentences at the 14 Catholic and Baptist youths after a two-day trial at the People’s Court in central Nghe An Province, sentencing each of the three youths Ho Duc Hoa, Dang Xuan Dieu, Le Van Son to 13 years; 11 others received jail terms ranging from three to eight years. All were charged with “spreading propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”. Furthermore, another trial expecting on 22/1/2013 for Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan, a Vietnamese-American and a Viet Tan member, who only had entered into Vietnam with a simple wish to promote democracy via non-violence and was arrested and charged with “organizing terrorist activities” .
These are only a few to show you what really has been going on in Vietnam since it joined the WTO and agreed to comply with whatsoever it has signed.
We think building a good relationship with a country and help it to progress along with the rest of the world is a very good deed, but we should also encourage its government to care for its own people in respect of democracy and human rights so that the people will have a settled life which leads to a peaceful society and hence a peaceful world. If we only try to help out a government and ignore the need of its people all our effort will be useless, because in the end history will record we only helped the dictators to harass their own people.
Thank you for your comments on my blog. I very much welcome dialogue with readers and your comments are good ones and topical,
With regards to the recent sentencing of 14 Catholic activists, the UK remains concerned about the human rights situation in Vietnam, particularly freedom of expression. We support the statement by the EU Ambassador to Vietnam, on the recent trial of 14 Catholic activists in particular his call for a review of the sentences and the right of all persons to hold and freely express their opinions in a peaceful manner.
The full statement is here.
Regarding other human rights cases. The UK is an active participant in the EU Human Rights Dialogue (most recent dialogue October 2012). We also raise human rights privately with the Vietnamese Government including for example during the Foreign Secretary’s meeting with Foreign Minister Minh in April 2012. More generally greater freedom of expression is one of our key human rights policies in 2013. We will look to build stronger links with civil society, bloggers and peaceful activists. We will engage politically on human rights with the Vietnamese at senior and Ministerial level and via the UK and Vietnam’s Strategic Partnership. Our emphasis is that greater respect for human rights is central to Vietnam’s continued economic prosperity and social stability and in both our countries’ best interests
Dear Dr. Stokes
I am sure you will be present during Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to UK from 23 to 24.1.2013. You know very well about Vietnam human rights which civilised world must condemn. I urge you to request our Prime Minister to question Nguyen Phu Trong and demand him to release all Vietnamese political prisoners and Prisoners of Concience immediately. I particularly request you to remind The Prime Minister to demand Trong to free all 14 Young Catholic Activists and Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan immediately.
Many thanks
Trung Nguyen
Thank you to those who have offered congratulations here on our anniversary. I do feel grateful to those dedicated promoters of the relationship across these period, both Vietnamese and British, both here and there, both the happily still with us and the sadly passed away.
I admire the valuable facts you provide inside your content. I will bookmark your weblog and additionally also have my youngsters check up right here frequently. I am fairly positive theyll learn quite a lot of new stuff here than anybody else!
Thank you to those who have commented about civil, political and other rights. These are issues which the UK takes seriously. I’m grateful to those who have raised specific cases of serious concern as well as general issues.
With respect to other countries including Vietnam, the British Government comments publicly through the FCO annual report on democracy and human rights (which is also updated quarterly) We also work closely with EU partners through the annual human rights dialogue with Vietnam and in support of EU policy and statements, including on cases referred to here.
I respect Vietnam’s different culture and history. I also respect the principle of universal rights and the legitimacy of international concern. Our strengthened relationship does provide opportunities for direct dialogue on these issues. I hope we will build this dialogue further, and that this will also help us to encourage stronger adherence to international standards.
I referred to the issue of land rights and the role of the media on this blog last year.
Hi, just wanted to say i liked this article. it was practical. keep on posting.
Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your website is very
helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, just wanted to say i liked this article.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I
Forty years, that’s impressive. Thanks for the insight
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after
I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over
again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!
Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring
on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information.
I know my subscribers would value your work. If you are even remotely interested,
feel free to shoot me an e-mail.