Democratic Voice of Vietnam

To the Regional Steering Committee (RSC);

To the National Organizing Committee (NOC);

To all participants, included and excluded from the ACSC/APF conference “People-Centered ASEAN Community: Making It Happen” on 17-19 November 2015 in Kuala Lumpur

 

We, the independent civil society organizations (ICSOs) of Vietnam, regrettably must inform the RCS, the NOC, and our ASEAN CSO friends that we were again excluded from Vietnam’s “National Process”. We were only informed of this important civil society event by chance from unofficial sources.

Vietnam’s “National Process” remains completely controlled by the most hardline Hanoi-based GONGOs of the Vietnamese communist government. For this event, they undemocratically handpicked their three Hanoi-based representatives from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) for scholarships and gave the rest to their two RSC members, already handpicked for participation. In this case, not only independent groups, but also GONGOs from southern and central Vietnam were excluded, being informed about the conference and the scholarship decision at the same time.

The aim of this careful, closed, and undemocratic selection is tight control and an attempt to monopolize ACSC/APF space with a single voice. This voice will never speak out against the government atrocities or human rights violations. This voice will suggest democracy is not for everyone in ASEAN. This voice will tell you that there is no problem for the Montagnard Protestants in the Central Highlands, the other ethnic minorities in the Northern mountainous region of Vietnam, the Khmer Krom Buddhists in the South, the independent human rights activists, the dissident journalists, or the farmers who are being robbed by the Vietnamese government. It is the voice of the Communist Party and not of the people and not of civil society.

GONGOs are not just a problem for us in Vietnam. We know that other ASEAN countries face similar problems. We must express our concern to hear that the same Laos GONGOs that took stances against free speech and inclusiveness, and was declined to organize ACSC/APF 2016 gave themselves scholarships to attend this event.

The domination of GONGOs in totalitarian countries or those countries building democracy in ASEAN is currently a serious regional problem. Independent civil society organizations cannot effectively develop their activities and potential if GONGOs are monopolizing space and scholarships, and controlling the conversations in ACSC/APF.

We must ask ourselves how we can plan successfully to build a “people-centered” ASEAN community if the voices from within the ACSC/APF derive from the GONGOs under directives to protect the interests of the States rather than to protect ASEAN peoples? In avoiding dealing with the GONGO problem, the ACSC/APF puts this goal and its very credibility at risk. We feel that now must be the time for us all to work to overcome the “GONGO problem”.

We, the undersigned organizations, would like to present the following recommendations to the RSC, the NOC, and the ACSC/APF community:

1. We propose that the 2015 “Guiding Principles and Engagement Modality” should be turned into a meaningful instrument to support inclusiveness and to ensure the participation of independent CSOs. These guidelines were a great development, but so far have not been enforced. We suggest effective enforcement through the development of a clear process and procedures when there are violations of this binding document.

2. We urge all participants to engage the representatives of VUFO in friendly conversation. We urge you all to ask them what they think about our travel bans and confiscated passports. Please ask them about their views on the new draft law on religion or the draft law on associations or independent groups which are denied registration and branded illegal. Would they support our human rights to movement and free association?

3. We suggest that ACSC/APF should develop a regional ASEAN Working Group or ACSC/APF Committee to specifically address the GONGO problem. This group should deeply examine the National Processes and other issues in order to seek solutions that protect and increase space for independent civil society. We also suggest setting up independent observers from other countries or regional groups instead of self-reporting.

4. While we and others are blocked from attending ACSC/APF in person, we urge the ACSC/APF to seek creative solutions such as remote participation or to arrange for safe consultative meetings.

We sincerely appreciate your attention and support. We wish that this ACSC/APF Conference will have fruitful results.

Vietnam, November 16, 2015

1) Vietnamese Women for Human Rights, represented by Huynh Thuc Vy, Tran Thi Hai and Tran Thi Nga

2) Bach Dang Giang Foundation, represented by Pham Ba Hai

3) Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience, represented by Dr. Nguyen Dan Que

4) Religion and Ethnic Minorities Defenders, represented by Huynh Trong Hieu

5) Nguyen Kim Dien Priests group, represented by Rev. Nguyen Huu Giai and Rev. Phan Van Loi

6) Brotherhood for Democracy, represented by Pham Van Troi and Nguyen Trung Ton

7) Vietnam-US Lutheran Alliance Church, represented by Pastor Nguyen Hoang Hoa

8) Association of Bau Bi Tuong Than, represented by Nguyen Le Hung

9) Delegation of Vietnamese United Buddhists Church, represented by the Ven. Thich Khong Tanh

10) Hoa Hao Buddhists Church, Purity, represented by Le Quang Hien

11) Bloc 8406, represented by Do Nam Hai

12) Association to Protect Freedom of Religion, represented by Ha Thi Van

13) Defend the Defenders, represented by Vu Quoc Ngu

14) Independent Caodaist Church, Tay Ninh, represented by Hua Phi, Nguyen Kim Lan, Bach Phung

15) Caodaist Nhon Sanh Bloc, represented by Vo Van Quang, Tran Ngoc Suong and Tran Quoc Tien

16) Vietnam Human Rights Center, represented by lawyer Nguyen Van Dai

17) Civil Society Forum, represented by Nguyen Quang A

18) Vietnam Path Movement, represented by Nguyen Cong Huan

19) Association of Vietnam Independent Writers, represented by writer Nguyen Ngoc

20) Vietnamese Political & Religious Prisoners Friendship Association, represented by Nguyen Bac Truyen