Press Release

Freedom from Fear : Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang issues Vesak Message to Buddhists in Vietnam – UBCV leaders Thich Huyen Quang and Thich Quang Do hold new talks in Ho Chi Minh City

In his traditional Message to Vietnamese Buddhists on the 2547th Anniversary of the Vesak (Birth of Buddha) on 15th May 2003, the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang, Patriarch of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) has launched a pressing appeal to monks, nuns and lay-followers to free themselves …

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Prague Bishop Vaclav Maly calls for the immediate release of Venerable Thich Huyen Quang, Thich Quang Do and Father Nguyen Van Ly

PARIS, 6 May 2003 (IBIB) – Prague Catholic Bishop Vaclav Maly, President of the Justice and Peace Commission at the Czech Bishop’s Conference, former dissident and signatory of the Czech Charter 77 has sent a letter to Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong calling for the immediate release of three prominent …

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For the first time in 21 years, Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang and Venerable Thich Quang Do meet in Ho Chi Minh City

PARIS, 6 May 2003 (IBIB) – For the first time since 1982, when he was arrested and placed under detention in Quang Ngai, the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang, Patriarch of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) has traveled to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to meet UBCV …

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Vietnam Committee on Human Rights condemns new assault on freedom of expression and religion in Vietnam (59th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights)

GENEVA, 16 April 2003 (VCHR) – Speaking at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Mr. Vo Van Ai, President of the Paris-based Vietnam Committee on Human Rights and Vice-President of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), strongly condemned the recent wave of arrests of human rights defenders …

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People in Need Foundation grants Homo Homini Award to Venerables Thich Huyen Quang, Thich Quang Do and Father Nguyen Van Ly – Former President Vaclav Havel sends a message of solidarity to human rights defenders in Vietnam

PRAGUE, 11 April 2003 (IBIB) – During the One World International Human Rights Film Festival held in Prague (Czech Republic) from 8-16 April 2003 under the auspices of former President Vaclav Havel and the Mayor of Prague, the People in Need–Czech TV Foundation awarded the Homo Homini Award to three …

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U.S. Ambassador Raymond Burghart visits UBCV Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang in Hanoi – two thousand Buddhists greet Venerable Thich Huyen Quang in Hue

On Friday April 4th, at 2.00 p.m., the United States Ambassador in Vietnam, Mr Raymond Burghardt, paid a visit to the Most venerable Thich Huyen Quang at the Kim Lien Pagoda in Hanoi. This is the first time Thich Huyen Quang has received a visit from a US Ambassador since …

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37 Prominent Members of the U.S. Congress urge Vietnam to release Buddhist dissidents Thich Huyen Quang and Thich Quang Do

Whilst Vietnam’s Prime Minister Phan Van Khai made an unprecedented step this week towards dialogue with the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) by holding talks with UBCV Patriarch and prominent dissident Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang in Hanoi, the regime has made no promises to release the UBCV …

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Vietnam Prime Minister Phan Van Khai holds talks with Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang in Hanoi on the situation of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam

For the first time in unified Vietnam, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has met the leader of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV), Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang in Hanoi to talk about the situation of the UBCV. The meeting took place today at 5.30 pm and lasted …

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Buddhist leader Thich Huyen Quang faces hardships in Hanoi after issuing a Statement calling for the re-establishment of the banned UBCV

The International Buddhist Information Bureau (IBIB) is concerned for the safety of the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang, Patriarch of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) who is currently in Hanoi for medical treatment. The IBIB is informed that tension has escalated between the Vietnamese authorities and the …

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The International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights call for the immediate release of human rights defender Nguyen Dan Que

Mr Sidiki Kaba, President of the Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and Mr Vo Van Ai, FIDH Vice-President and Chairman of the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights, wrote to the Vietnamese leadership today expressing grave concern on arrest of dissident and human rights defender Dr Nguyen Dan Que …

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