Unreasonable interference in Vietnam's internal affairs
(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, on some websites with ill will towards Vietnam overseas, Mr. Phil Robertson - Deputy Director of Asia Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) made contradictory statements about ensuring human rights in Vietnam.
From the standpoint that Vietnamese law is not in accordance with international conventions, Mr. Phil Robertson claimed:“Vietnam tramples on human rights by arresting activists on trumped-up charges and then harshly interrogating them while holding them for months without access to a lawyer.”As a suggestion, Mr. Phil Robertson said:“The US government should press Vietnam to take clear actions to improve human rights, starting with the immediate and unconditional release of human rights activists.”To support this, Mr. Phil Robertson cited the story of the Vietnamese government “imprisoning at least 31 people” for expressing opinions on social media that contradicted the government’s views, “arresting at least 26 others... on fabricated, politically motivated charges such as anti-state propaganda ortaking advantage of democratic freedomsinfringe upon state interests".
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| Mr. Phil Robertson has revealed a subjective, one-sided view of Vietnam. |
It must be strongly affirmed that, through the above statement, Mr. Phil Robertson has revealed a subjective and one-sided view; proving that he does not understand anything about the International Convention and Vietnamese law.
Like every country in the world, Vietnam always respects the democratic freedoms of its citizens within the framework of the law.Vietnamese laware built and completed in accordance with the correct order and procedures, ensuring compliance with the principles of building and promulgating legal documents. In particular, in the process of building legal documents, Vietnam always focuses on internalizing international conventions to which Vietnam is a member, including the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights... Therefore, Vietnamese law is always compatible with international law.
Complying with the law in Vietnam is both a right, an obligation and a responsibility of every citizen.
On the other hand, in law-making activities, Vietnam always upholds the principle of democracy, maximizing the participation of the people and social organizations in law-making activities. It is thanks to the expansion of democracy that Vietnamese law clearly reflects the will, aspirations and promotes the intelligence of the majority of people. At the same time, through the widespread practice of democracy, Vietnamese law becomes increasingly closer to people's lives, creating conditions for people to learn and grasp the content of legal provisions, thereby raising legal awareness, and implementing the law more seriously. Complying with the law in Vietnam is both a right, an obligation and a responsibility of every citizen.
The people that Mr. Phil Robertson cited to support his statement are not “democracy activists” or “human rights defenders” but are in fact violators of international conventions and Vietnamese law. It is completely normal for Vietnamese authorities to arrest and prosecute them – citizens who violate the law – to maintain discipline and the rule of law. The process of prosecution, investigation, and trial of suspects, defendants, and cases was carried out in accordance with proper procedures, with clear conclusions, ensuring democracy and objectivity while demonstrating the strictness of the law, and most of the subjects admitted their crimes and asked for leniency.
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| The trial of defendant Nguyen Tri Gioan for anti-state propaganda, in Khanh Hoa, November 2021. Photo: vtv.vn |
As the Deputy Director of the Asia Division of an organization called “Human Rights Watch”, Mr. Phil Robertson should have a firm grasp of international law and the laws of countries in the region, including Vietnam. In particular, Mr. Phil Robertson must fully understand a very basic principle of modern international law: No country, group of countries or international organization has the right tointerfere in any wayintervene in domestic and foreign affairs within the exclusive jurisdiction of another country or force another country to submit matters of this type to international procedures...
International conventions and Vietnamese law do not allow any individual or organization to interfere in Vietnam's internal affairs.
However, sadly and shamefully, those confused statements have exposed Mr. Phil Robertson as "blind" to both international law and Vietnamese law. The Vietnamese have a saying: "If you know, speak up; if you don't, lean against a pillar and listen." Mr. Phil Robertson does not have a firm grasp of the law, but still loudly defends and shields those who violate the law. Public opinion raises the question: What is the purpose of Mr. Phil Robertson's actions? This question is not difficult to explain, because the motive of Mr. Phil Robertson and the HRW organization is quite clear: to "confuse and deceive" between law violations and activities fighting for the goals of genuine democracy and human rights. The act of standing up to speak out to shield and protect those who violate Vietnamese law has shown Mr. Phil Robertson's confusion and absurdity. International conventions and Vietnamese law do not allow any individual or organization to interfere in Vietnam's internal affairs. The Vietnamese State and people resolutely fight to condemn and refute all absurd and unreasonable arguments and actions that use the guise of "human rights" to interfere in other countries' affairs like Mr. Phil Robertson and the HRW organization recently.