In Vietnam, no one is arrested or tried for 'expressing opinions'.

The lost voices

Especially in 2021, despite many difficulties, Vietnam still achieved many achievements in ensuring human rights in the fields of economy; culture, society; education; health, prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic;... Vietnam's efforts and achievements have been recognized and highly appreciated internationally at many forums.

However, some organizations disguised as "Human Rights Network" and "Human Rights Watch" still deliberately release so-called "reports" onhuman rights situationworld in 2021, including many non-objective contents based on unverified information, incorrectly reflecting the reality of human rights protection in Vietnam.

The "Human Rights Report" of the "Vietnam Human Rights Network" does not accurately reflect the reality of human rights in Vietnam. Screenshot

Notably, they stated that: “2021 witnessed the Hanoi government’s repression of dissidents, which international human rights activists and monitors consider the worst in recent years…” They cited the fact that the Vietnamese government “arbitrarily arrested or prosecuted at least 28 people” for violating “vague” charges such as “propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” or “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State”.

When they realize that their voices have become irrelevant and useless because they are not being taken seriously by major international organizations and countries, especially Western countries, organizations and individuals hostile to Vietnam resent the West's "ignorance" of the "deterioration" of human rights in Vietnam.

The strictness and clarity of Vietnamese law

It must be strongly affirmed that in Vietnam, no one is arrested or tried just for “expressing opinions” or “protecting democracy” or “protecting human rights” in the true sense. The Vietnamese State always strives to ensure better and better the democratic freedoms of the people. However, like every country in the world, Vietnam resolutely fights against acts of taking advantage of freedoms and democracy to violate the law, infringe upon the interests of the State, and the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and citizens.

Specifying the 2013 Constitution, Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code, amended and supplemented in 2017, stipulates the crime of making, storing, disseminating or propagating information, documents and items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, specifically as follows:1.A person who commits one of the following acts against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shall be sentenced to imprisonment from 05 years to 12 years: a) Making, storing, disseminating or propagating information, documents or items with content that distorts or defames the people's government; b) Making, storing, disseminating or propagating information, documents or items with fabricated content that causes confusion among the people; c) Making, storing, disseminating or propagating information, documents or items that cause psychological warfare.2.In particularly serious cases, the crime shall be punishable by imprisonment from 10 to 20 years.3.A person who prepares to commit this crime shall be sentenced to imprisonment from 01 year to 05 years".

2013 Constitution. Photo courtesy

Regarding the crime of taking advantage of democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State and the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals, Article 331 of the 2017 Penal Code specifically stipulates as follows:1.Anyone who abuses the rights to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of belief, religion, freedom of assembly, association and other democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals shall be subject to a warning, non-custodial reform for up to 03 years or imprisonment from 06 months to 03 years.2.Committing a crime that negatively affects security, order, and social safety shall be punishable by imprisonment from 02 to 07 years.

Thus, the acts of making, storing, distributing,propaganda, distortionThose who violate the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the legal policies of the State or defame the people's government, spread false propaganda to cause confusion among the masses or create or produce documents and cultural products with anti-State content; take advantage of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of belief, religion, freedom of assembly, association and other democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals, are at risk of being criminally prosecuted with warnings, non-custodial reform for up to 03 years, imprisonment from 05 years to 12 years, in particularly serious cases can be imprisoned from 10 years to 20 years.

Similarly, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of information are fundamental rights of Vietnamese citizens. This right has been stipulated in the 2013 Constitution: “Citizens have the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, access to information, assembly, association, and demonstration. The exercise of these rights is regulated by law.” In addition, this right is also specified in many important laws such as the Press Law, the Cyber ​​Security Law, etc.

Illustration: Document

Like other countries in the world and like other rights, Vietnamese citizens must exercise their freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of information within the framework of the law. Accordingly, when exercising their freedom of speech and freedom of the press, citizens must comply with the provisions of the law to protect the social system, protect the State, and not affect the rights and interests of others.

Not only stipulated in the Constitution and laws. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of information in Vietnam are clearly demonstrated in practice through the diverse development in types and rich, lively content and form of Vietnamese press. In particular, in the current 4.0 technology era, more than 70% of Vietnam's population uses the Internet and social networks. Through information channels, with a sense of responsibility and social awareness, Vietnamese citizens can completely criticize guidelines, policies and strategies; provide information and contribute opinions to the Party and government; express thoughts and aspirations... but must comply with the provisions of the law. Implementing the policy of expanding democracy, Party committees and authorities at all levels from the central to grassroots levels in Vietnam always listen to, receive and promptly resolve all opinions, thoughts and legitimate aspirations of citizens, in order to promote the intelligence and enthusiasm of all people in the cause of building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Cannot fool public opinion

Thus, it can be said that Vietnamese law stipulates very fully and clearly the crime of “Propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” and the crime of “abusing democratic freedoms… to infringe upon the interests of the State, the rights and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals”. There is absolutely no “ambiguity” or “ambiguity”… here.

The illegal acts of the subjects cited by some organizations and individuals are as clear as day and have very serious impacts on society. During the investigation process,trial and detention for the above crimesare conducted in accordance with the provisions of the law; the rights of detainees are guaranteed, no one is oppressed here. The sentences they receive are completely correct, correct, and in accordance with the law. In Vietnam, no one is arrested or tried for "expressing opinions" in accordance with the law.

Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Court tried a case of anti-state propaganda on March 30, 2021. Photo: VNA

We are familiar with the tricks of exploiting cases to slander the Vietnamese State for violating freedom of speech, suppressing, arresting, detaining, and imprisoning those who “express their opinions,” which are often used by hostile and reactionary forces. It can be said that with the clarity, objectivity, and transparency of Vietnamese law, hostile forces cannot blatantly fabricate stories, turn black into white, distort, and misrepresent in order to change the nature of cases.

On the other hand, our cadres, party members and people always raise their awareness of vigilance, calmness, sobriety and clarity in approaching and receiving information. No matter how sophisticated the hostile forces' arguments and sabotage tricks are, they cannot deceive public opinion. Along with clear identification, our cadres, party members and people are always aware of their responsibility in fighting and refuting false, distorted and fabricated information. With strong and practical actions, we will definitely smash all plots and tricks of some hostile organizations and individuals. The reputation of the Party, the prestige of the State, the superior nature of the socialist regime cannot be insulted or defamed, that is an affirmation./.