By John E. Carey
Peace and Freedom
February 26, 2006
After Saigon fell to the Communists and was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the Communist war lord in 1975, several human rights abuses quickly became apparent. In Communist Vietnam, the rules changed to these the will of the Communist party leaders and the abuses included and today include:
–Systematic abuse and imprisonment of any and all people who assisted in the war effort against the Communists or who helped the Americans in any way. The most infamous aspect of these “Trai Cai Tao” or remote jungle or highland “re-education centers” were periods of detention normally 7-14 years. My Bac or Uncle Chi was in this system for 8 years. But I do know of cases where intelligence officers or others with special skills were in prison for 17 years.
–Leaving Vietnam became a crime. Many of the “Boat People” who escaped did so after being caught trying to escape and suffering through prison terms for their “crimes” several times. I have one friend who went through this system at least 9 times. My wife went through three or four times.
–Loss of all privacy. Neighbors were encouraged to all the police if they noticed anything “unusual” about you or your household.
–Denial of religious freedom. In fact, Catholics were forced to renounce their faith in writing.
–Denial of freedom of speech and expression. All media was taken over by the Communist machine.
–Systematic repression and in some cases genocide against the ethnic minorities that had assisted the Americans. These included the tribal peoples of the Khmer Krom, Montagnards and Hmong Lao, and the Khmer Rouge.
–Unlawful imprisonment. Anyone, at any time, who angers the leadership of the Vitnamese Communists becomes subject to unlawful imprisonment. An American citizen, Mrs Cuc Foshee, is such an example. In the autumn of 2006 she was released from prison after 14 months held without charges.
Now Vietnam is striving to rejoin the member nations of civilized society. Last November heads of state such as President Bush of the United States and President Putin of Russia visited and paid respects. Vietnam was allowed to enter the World Trade Organization and the United States granted Permanent Normal Trade Relations.
But all is not normal inside Vietnam.
At the close of the Asia-Pacific Economic Council (APEC 2006) last November, Vietnam staged the tradition group meeting of heads of state. But this was not traditional at all: Vietnam intentionally insulted the unaware visiting heads of state (including Bush and Putin) who were issued blue au dai (gowns). Blue, in Asia, is the color of common men. The Prime Minister of Vietnam wore gold: the color of Emperors.This group picture, including the commonly attired Bush and Putin, became the object of much giggling in Asia from Hanoi to Beijing.
Now Vietnam has ramped up its efforts to drive the ethnic minorities out or to kill them.
The world should not sit idly by as Vietnam practices genocide and other abuses of human rights. We urge the grater involvement of the UNHCR and the United States.
February 26, 2007 at 4:33 pm |
When realizing the insult delivered to the President, it is very difficult to view our State Department with anything but a very jaundiced eye. IMHO, it is inconceivable that a functioning State Department could allow such a thing to happen.
Where are the experts on Vietnamese culture. or even Asian culture in general? One would think such knowledge would be of the highest priority. It is little wonder that world opinion of America is what it is. Of course, much of that less than favorable view, is because of the rankest propaganda, put forward by the governments of our enemies (and yes, Virginia, we do have enemies).
February 28, 2007 at 7:29 pm |
Dave: You may be right. From State I might get on the radio and say, “Houston, we have a problem!!”
John E. Carey
December 30, 2008 at 2:47 pm |
I hardly know where to begin.
Let’s start with the color blue shall we?
Outside of Bush not looking very good in an Ao Dai (probably of any color) the color blue has a number of meanings in Vietnamese culture, to include freedom, hope calm and others. It is simply not true that it is used by the common man only.
As for the rest of what you write, it is plain that you have not been in Vietnam for some time, perhaps ever. They are not “killing” ethnic minorities and it is simply unbelievable that you could come up with that one. But anyone I suppose can say anything.
Nor is there systematic abuse and imprisonment of “any and all” people who fought against the communists, I know many who did and who are not in prison at all. Were some at the end of the war put in prison? Yes that is true and some actually deserved it for what they did during the war.
As for Catholics, they freely practice their religion all over Vietnam. My wife is Catholic and I know many, many who go to church, or not, their choice entirely.
And, your claim that anyone anytime can be imprisoned day or night for “angering” the leaders is inane and has no basis in fact. It is true that one is not allowed to be critical of the government as in the US, but that is not to say that people do not have opinions and express them. People openly and in the press express dissatisfaction with policies and problems they are having.
As said at the beginning, it is very apparent that you have probably never been to Vietnam but that you have some connections with it through your family. I would guess that you are probably Viet Kieu and someone who lives with, or was raised by, Viet Kieu who have not seen Viet Nam for thirty years or more.
Instead of believing hook line and sinker what others espouse as the truth, perhaps you would do well to go do Vietnam and see for yourself what goes on inside Viet Nam. Of course your own fears would probably render that an impossible goal.
January 15, 2011 at 2:57 am |
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February 10, 2011 at 1:31 am |
Communist War Lord? Ho Chi Minh? Do you even know who he was? Or that he really had no Communist political agenda and used Communism as a means of obtaining freedom for a colonized country? (Vietnam in case you couldn’t figure that out) I’m sorry I can honestly say I did not read a word past that.
June 21, 2011 at 1:41 pm |
Firstly i find Its difficult to place the words communist and war lord in the same sentance as war lord implys a lack of political and or social morals hence being a phrase used for leaders driven by pillaging.
Secondly i doubt very much that systematic abuse could beinflicted upon all people in any minority, it would be certain that some forn occurs as does it everywhere but surely little more than anywhere else, isn’t it possible that having relations and storys from people could create a bias account.
Thirdly im sure the lack of privacy would be more than in most countrys however it is in ever country that government forces such as the police encourage neibours to report anything abnormal in behaviour.
When the mention of genocide is stated it says so that it was for people who helped enemy forces therefore it could not be genocide unless you are implying brutal killing of all innocent people that you have not mentioned.
Anyone who angers leadership is generaly imprisoned, perhaps there ideals in government are more extreme but in any country to challenge the power of state will end in some form of punishment.
In any state meeting there is going to be people who have harsh words to say about others, we are only human and if one country wishes to treat other government officials as guests (common people) then perhaps it is because they are in a country that has strong views on social roles.
Ive started studing Vietnam and its history, these are just things i found rather arguable in your statement it seems perhaps some things are in not enough detail so come across bias and others lack regard for the country, its people as well as the fact that not everything or everyone was or had a negative impact.
August 17, 2011 at 8:21 am |
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