Press Release

Speaking out in public for the first time in 26 years: Thich Quang Do addresses farmers demonstrating in Ho Chi Minh City against power abuse and state appropriation of lands

“To solve these problems, we must work together for political pluralism, democracy and human rights, especially freedom of expression. There can be no justice under the one-Party state” PARIS, 17 July 2007 (IBIB) – At 10am (Vietnam time) this morning, the Most Venerable Thich Quang Do, 79, Deputy leader of …

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European Parliament condemns crack-down on dissidents and calls on Europe to reassess its policy of cooperation with Vietnam

STRASBURG, 12th July 2007 (Vietnam Committee) – In its plenary session in Strasbourg today, the European Parliament adopted a “Resolution on Vietnam”, condemning repression against dissidents, religious persecution, the incompatibility of Vietnam’s legislation with international human rights laws, and the double game played by the Vietnamese authorities in regards to …

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During a visit from the Norwegian Ambassador, Venerable Thich Quang Do sets 4 conditions for Buddhist unification in Vietnam

The Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Kjell Storløkken and the First Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy in charge of Political and Economic affairs, Mr. Fredrik Steen, paid a visit to Venerable Thich Quang Do, Deputy leader of the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) on Monday 2nd July 2007, …

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Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam in Norway holds International Conference on Peace through Human Development

l Spiritual leaders, scholars, legislators and human rights activists from Asia and Europe met in Oslo, Norway on 5 May 2007 at an International Conference on “Peace through Human Development” organized by Venerable Thich Tri Minh, Superior monk of the Khuong Viet Temple and Head of the Unified Buddhist Church of …

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Vietnam Committee welcomes President George W. Bush’s meeting with Vietnamese democracy activists at the White House

PARIS, 30th May 2007 (Quê Me) – Quê Me : Action for Democracy in Vietnam and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights welcome U.S. President George W. Bush’s meeting with four Vietnamese-American democracy activists at the White House yesterday to discuss concerns on human rights and democracy in Vietnam. The meeting, …

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Vietnam bans UBCV Buddhists in Hue, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Tien Giang, Lam Dong from celebrating Buddha’s Birth – Thich Thien Hanh prepares to hold ceremony in Hue despite government ban

PARIS, 30th May 2007 (IBIB) – Whereas Buddhists around the world are preparing to celebrate the 2551st Anniversary of the Birth of Buddha, or Vesak, tomorrow, 31st May 2007, the Vietnamese authorities have banned the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) from celebrating this important Buddhist event and prohibited circulation …

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Vietnam Committee condemns Hanoi’s “systematic liquidation” of the Vietnamese dissident movement

PARIS, 11 May 2007 (Vietnam Committee) – The Vietnam Committee on Human Rights is deeply disturbed by the extremely harsh prison sentences handed down today against human rights lawyers Nguyen van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan, and against other dissidents in the unfair trials of 10 and 11 May …

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Vice-Minister of Public Security visits Thich Huyen Quang to calumniate UBCV leaders – UBCV Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang issues 2551 Vesak Message

The official Police Review, “An Ninh The Gioi”, (World Public Security, No. 651, 5.5.2007) has published a front-page article on a visit by Vice-Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van Huong to the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang, 87, Patriarch of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) on the …

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141 International Human Rights Leagues gathered in Lisbon condemn crack-down on human rights defenders in Vietnam

  LISBON, 24 April 2007 (VCHR) – Members of 141 leagues from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe, meeting in Lisbon, Portugal from 22-24 April 2007 for the 36th Congress of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) adopted two resolutions condemning violations of human rights in Vietnam. In an …

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Prominent International Organizations issue Mission Report on Human Rights Defenders in Vietnam

PARIS, 23 April 2007 (VCHR) – As high-level American and Vietnamese officials prepare to meet in Washington D.C. for the U.S.-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue tomorrow (24 April 2007), the Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and the Geneva-based World Organization against Torture (OMCT), released a groundbreaking report today on …

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