Statement by the United States of America
May 8, 2009
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you to the delegation of Vietnam for your presentation today; we appreciate your engagement in this UPR process. The United States would like to offer the following recommendations, all urging full implementation of laws and protection of rights guaranteed in the Vietnamese constitution and other international instruments.
First, we recommend that the government demonstrate its commitment to Article 69 of the Vietnamese Constitution, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by ensuring freedom of expression for members of the press without fear of arbitrary arrest or prosecution. We further recommend that the government provide for the free flow of information on the Internet and abolish restrictive regulations on blogging and the media.
Second, we recommend that the government demonstrate its commitment to Articles 50 and 69 of the Vietnamese Constitution, Articles 19, 21, and 22 of the ICCPR, and Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by allowing individuals to speak out on the political system and by releasing all prisoners of conscience, such as Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan. We further recommend that the government abolish vague “national security” provisions such as Articles 84, 88, and 258 used to convict those who voice dissent against the government or its policies.
Third, we recommend that, in accordance with Article 70 of the Vietnamese Constitution, its human rights commitments, and in the interest of social stability and development, the government speed the process for the local registration of churches and religious organizations as mandated under the framework on religion and allow for an equitable resolution of property disputes as required under the Constitution and the Prime Minister’s decree on religious property. We further recommend that the government of Vietnam recognize the UBCV and allow it to function independently of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha as well as allow multiple branches of the Hoa Hao and Cao Dai faiths.
Thank you, Mr. President.