From: vinsight@netcom.com (Vietnam Insight)
Subject: Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in VN
Originator: daemon@media-lab.media.mit.edu
Reply-To: vinsight@netcom.com
Organization: N/A
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 16:32:58 GMT



*****************
Appeal Regarding Political Prisoners in Vietnam
*****************
By the National United Front for the Liberation of Vietnam --
Directorate of Overseas Affairs

In recognition that:

- Vietnam's current state of poverty and degradation is due to the
totalitarian rule of the Vietnamese Communist Party.

- It is the right of all Vietnamese to fight against dictatorship and
oppression to restore the nation to freedom and prosperity.

- All terrorizing measures and persecution including arbitrary arrests
and imprisonment of Vietnamese citizens who stand up for their rights
are blatant violations of human and civil rights proclaimed in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We hereby earnestly request:

- All Vietnamese compatriots at home and abroad to ceaselessly advance
our democratic effort to pressure the Vietnamese Communist regime to end
its political oppression, and especially release immediately and
unconditionally all political prisoners.

- All freedom-loving peoples and nations of the world to actively
support the Vietnamese struggle for freedom.  Specifically, we ask that
you increase your economic and diplomatic pressure on the Vietnamese
Communist regime to end its oppression and release all political
prisoners.

                                                July 1, 1992


OPEN LETTER

To freedom loving people of the world:

In recent years, the world has witnessed a chain of democratic
revolutions that has brought down communist regimes around the globe.
The demise of this totalitarian system, which reigned with terror for
decades over many countries, sparks the opening of a new era of hope,
peace, and prosperity.

These historic events should have given the Vietnamese Communist leaders
an opportunity to recognize the failure of Marxism in the pursuit of
happiness for the people and progress for the society. Unfortunately,
they have refused to accept reality, stubbornly clinging to their
bankrupt ideology and monopolistic power. They have deceptively touted
"democratization" with superficial changes in the Constitution and
economic control, while continuing to turn Vietnam into a gigantic
gulag, incarcerating citizens who dare to stand up for their rights and
peacefully protest against the system. In the past few years, ten of
thousands of Vietnamese citizens have been arbitrarily detained under
the banner of national security. Many are not tried, others were
subjected to the unjust system of the People's Court.

Dear freedom loving people of the world:

It is essential that we reveal and condemn all human rights violations
committed by the Vietnamese Communist regime. It can no longer use the
guise of "reform" and "openness" to mislead the world for aid and
investment with a sole purpose of preserving and consolidating its
monopolistic power.

To this end, NUFRONLIV's Directorate of Overseas Affairs publishes a
list of 275 Political prisoners presently under the regime's captivity.
This partial list compiled by NUFRONLIV for this initial phase of
release will be completed at the subsequent phase. In our urgent efforts
to support and demand the release of these courageous men and women, we
call upon you to:

First, organize or participate in campaigns to honor Political Prisoners
detained in Vietnam, and demand their immediate and unconditional
releases. We ask that you sign NUFRONLIV's Appeal for the release of
these people.

Second, voice your opposition to Hanoi's oppression and urge the regime
to adhere to the International Declaration of Human Rights, of which the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.

Third, support and join the Vietnamese struggle for human and civil
rights. Specifically, appeal to your government to step up diplomatic
and economic pressures for fundamental changes in Vietnam.

Your support is not only a humanitarian deed but also a strong message
of disapproval to the oppressors and will help make the world a happier
and more peaceful place.
-- 
Vietnam Insight (vinsight@netcom.com)
Chan Tran, editor