DienDanCTM (Bản tin 06-08-2012)
Trong một bản thông cáo gửi cho báo chí liên quan đến trình
trạng nhân quyền, cao ủy Nhân quyền Liên Hiệp Quốc đã lên tiếng phê phán nhà cầm
quyền Việt Nam ngày càng giới hạn quyền tự do bày tỏ quan điểm của công dân
trong nước.
Bản thông cáo báo chí ngày 3-8-2012 được công bố trên trang
web của Cao Ủy, nói rằng cao ủy nhân quyền LHQ đã thu thập những bằng chứng cho thấy tình trạng
đàn áp các tiếng nói của các blogger và những người sử dụng internet cùng các phương
tiện khác để bày tỏ chính kiến tại Việt Nam đang càng ngày càng gia tăng.
Qua bản thông cáo, Cao ủy LHQ cũng bày tỏ đặc biệt quan ngại
cho vụ xử sắp tới đối với 3 blogger thuộc CLB Nhà báo Tự Do là ông Nguyễn Văn Hải
(tức Điếu Cày), ông Phan Thanh Hải (anh ba Sàigòn), và bà Tạ Phong Tần vì tội mà
nhà cầm quyền áp đặt cho là "tuyên truyền chống Nhà nước". Theo Cao ủy
LHQ, cả 3 blogger trong vụ án này "vốn chỉ liên quan trực tiếp tới mọi
hành xử chính đáng quyền tự do ngôn luận, kể cả những bài đăng tải trực tuyến của
họ trên vấn đề xã hội và nhân quyền." Ba người nói trên bị xử theo điều 88
của Bộ luật Hình sự, mà án có thể lĩnh từ 7 đến 16 năm tù giam. Cuộc xử dự tính
vào ngày 7-8 nhưng lại bị trì hoãn vô hạn định, dự tính sẽ không có nhân chứng
và không công khai, làm quan ngại rằng phiên xử không được công bằng theo luật
pháp được bảo đảm. Hai ông Nguyễn Văn Hải và Phan Thanh Hải bị giam giữ từ năm
2010, trong khi bà Tạ Phong Tần bị giam từ tháng 9 năm 2011.
Cũng theo thông cáo,
"trong những năm gần đây nhiều người bị bắt và bị kết án nặng nề cho thấy
xu hướng kiềm chế tự do ngôn luận, tự do tư tưởng và tự do lập hội của những
bloggers, nhà báo và nhà hoạt động nhân quyền chỉ muốn chất vấn nhà cầm quyền một
cách ôn hòa. Như trường hợp mới đây, hôm 16-7, ba dân oan mở cuộc vận động ôn
hòa chống tham nhũng và lạm quyền của nhà cầm quyền địa phương đối với nông dân,
đã bị kết án bốn đến năm năm tù giam.
Cao ủy Nhân quyền LHQ kêu gọi nhà cầm quyền Việt Nam hãy thực
hiện đầy đủ những cam kết với quốc tế, tôn trọng làm tròn các nghĩa vụ để bảo đảm công bằng cho các phiên tòa xử, và nhanh
chóng xét xử phóng thích những người bị bắt vì hành xử các quyền tự do ngôn luận,
tự do bày tỏ tư tưởng, và tự do lập hội" đang bị giam cầm
OHCHR PRESS BRIEFING NOTE - Sudan (Darfur),
Vietnam, Liberia
Press Release: United Nations
3 August 2012
Acting Spokesperson
for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani
Location: Geneva
Subjects: (1) Sudan (Darfur)
(2) Viet Nam
(3) Liberia
Location: Geneva
Subjects: (1) Sudan (Darfur)
(2) Viet Nam
(3) Liberia
(1) Sudan (Darfur)
Security forces in Darfur are believed to have
killed at least eight people – at least five of whom were young students aged
17 and below – and injured more than 50 on Tuesday when they opened fire at
demonstrators in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. Eye witnesses have also
reported the use of heavy tear gas, in addition to the live bullets. We urge
the Government to promptly launch an independent and credible investigation
into the violence and the apparent excessive use of force by security forces.
There are key international guidelines that
must be respected in handling protests so that the legitimate right of people
to freedom of expression and assembly are fully respected. The Code of Conduct
for Law Enforcement Officials requires that the use of force should be
exceptional and in accordance with a principle of proportionality. We call on
the Government to unequivocally condemn excessive use of force to suppress
protests, and to hold accountable those who were responsible for the fatalities
and injuries.
The High Commissioner had earlier called on
Sudanese authorities to ensure that demonstrations are allowed to proceed
peacefully, and for restraint from all sides. We also call again on the
Government to immediately and unconditionally release those who have been
detained for merely exercising their rights to freedom of assembly and
expression.
Human rights staff of the African Union/United
Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) are continuing to monitor the
situation.
(2) Viet Nam
We are concerned by what appears to be
increasingly limited space for freedom of expression in Viet Nam. Information
that we have received indicates ongoing persecution of bloggers and people who
use the Internet and other means to freely express their opinions. In
particular, we are concerned that the upcoming trial of Mr. Nguyen Van Hai
(also known as Dieu Cay), Mr. Phan Thanh Hai and Ms. Ta Phong Tan for “conducting
propaganda” against the State is directly linked to their legitimate exercise
of freedom of expression, including their online publications about social and
human rights issues. The three individuals face charges under Article 88 of the
Criminal Code and could face penalties ranging from 7 to 16 years’
imprisonment. The trial, which was
scheduled for 7 August and was just postponed indefinitely, will reportedly be
closed and witnesses will not be called, raising concerns that the process will
not comply with fair trial guarantees. Mr. Nguyen Van Hai and Mr. Pan Thanh Hai
have been in detention since 2010 while Ms. Ta Phong Tan has been detained
since September 2011.
A number of arrests and harsh convictions in
recent years suggest a disturbing trend of curbing freedom of expression,
opinion and association of bloggers, journalists and human rights activists who
question Government policies in a peaceful manner. On 16 July, for example,
three land activists who had led a peaceful campaign against corruption and
wrongdoing by local authorities against farmers were sentenced to jail terms of
four to five years.
We urge the Government of Viet Nam to fulfill
its commitments with respect to ensuring fair trial guarantees and to consider
promptly releasing the accused for the exercise of their right to freedom of
expression, opinion and association.
(3) Liberia
We are concerned about draft legislation currently before the House of Representatives in Liberia which proposes an amendment to the Penal Code broadly criminalising homosexual behaviour. The legislation, which has already been passed by the Senate, makes it a felony of the second degree, which means it carries penalties of imprisonment (up to five years, but with provisions in the law for extended terms) and/or fines, for a person who, for example, “seduces, encourages, promotes another person of the same gender to engage into sexual activities.” Sodomy, voluntary and involuntary, are already criminal offences in Liberian law. An amendment to the Domestic Relations Law to explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage is also being proposed.
We are also concerned about the atmosphere of intimidation and violence against gay and lesbian activists, as well as reports of attacks against them. Such harassment illustrates the difficult, discriminatory environment in which gay rights activists are operating. The proposals going through the legislature could make an already bad situation for lesbian and gay people in Liberia even worse
Legislation criminalising homosexuality can have a seriously negative impact, not only on gay and lesbian people, but also on the most vulnerable populations, such as people living with HIV, sex workers, refugees and internally displaced populations, who might be in need of special attention but will not come forward due to the high risk of stigmatisation, discrimination and possible violence.
We remind Liberia that it is legally obligated to implement the international human rights treaties that it has ratified, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The UN Human Rights Committee, which oversees implementation of this Covenant, has warned States that laws criminalising homosexual acts between consenting adults violate individuals’ rights to privacy and to freedom from discrimination.
ENDS
We are concerned about draft legislation currently before the House of Representatives in Liberia which proposes an amendment to the Penal Code broadly criminalising homosexual behaviour. The legislation, which has already been passed by the Senate, makes it a felony of the second degree, which means it carries penalties of imprisonment (up to five years, but with provisions in the law for extended terms) and/or fines, for a person who, for example, “seduces, encourages, promotes another person of the same gender to engage into sexual activities.” Sodomy, voluntary and involuntary, are already criminal offences in Liberian law. An amendment to the Domestic Relations Law to explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage is also being proposed.
We are also concerned about the atmosphere of intimidation and violence against gay and lesbian activists, as well as reports of attacks against them. Such harassment illustrates the difficult, discriminatory environment in which gay rights activists are operating. The proposals going through the legislature could make an already bad situation for lesbian and gay people in Liberia even worse
Legislation criminalising homosexuality can have a seriously negative impact, not only on gay and lesbian people, but also on the most vulnerable populations, such as people living with HIV, sex workers, refugees and internally displaced populations, who might be in need of special attention but will not come forward due to the high risk of stigmatisation, discrimination and possible violence.
We remind Liberia that it is legally obligated to implement the international human rights treaties that it has ratified, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The UN Human Rights Committee, which oversees implementation of this Covenant, has warned States that laws criminalising homosexual acts between consenting adults violate individuals’ rights to privacy and to freedom from discrimination.
ENDS
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