A Short Summary about

the Vietnam Human Rights Network

BACKGROUND

By the 1990s, it was becoming increasingly clear that human rights violations in Vietnam continued unchecked.  Despite the efforts of activists worldwide, it became apparent that a unified front was needed if future strides were to be made.  In November 1997, that need became reality with the establishment of the Vietnam Human Rights Network.  An international consortium of human rights leaders and activists assembled in Santa Ana, California for establishment of the following goals:

·         To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of human rights activities worldwide by facilitating the coordination of Vietnamese activists and organizations.

·         To recruit nations, media outlets, and sister organizations to promote the improvement of human rights throughout the world.

·         To increase the general public’s awareness of human rights violations in Vietnam.

MISSION STATEMENT

To promote human rights, civil liberties and all other basic freedoms entitled to all Vietnamese citizens set forth by the United Nations in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent international human rights instruments.

STRATEGIES

To achieve its mission, the VNHRN maximizes the use of modern communication facilities such as the Internet to swiftly and effectively disseminate information to Vietnam.  In addition to elevating the people’s awareness and understanding of human rights and democratic issues, effective communication is vital for the coordination of VNHRN. Within this network, all members are entirely equal and ready to support common activities while still maintaining their own organizations and independent activities.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ü       Collaborated with American, Chinese, Burmese, and Tibetan human rights groups as well as international organizations such as The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, etc.

ü       Published the Human Rights Newsletter.

ü  Established a website for the rapid and convenient dispersal of information (http://www.vietnamhumanrights.net).

ü       VNHRN delegations and the United Nations have collaborated annually to promote International Human Rights Days since 1997.

ü       Participated in the Human Rights Day for Vietnam at the U.S. Senate each year since 1998 and collaborated with the U.S. Congress for improvement of human rights in Vietnam.

ü     Met with President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney at the White House to advocate for human rights in Vietnam. (May 29, 2007)

ü Met with Mr. Geoffrey Harris, Head of the Human Rights Unit of European Parliament on May 6, 2008 to promote human rights for Vietnamese people.

ü       Participated in the 2000 United Nations Millennium Forum in New York, the 2001 International Conference for Human Rights in Holland and the 2004 World Forum for Democratization in Asia (Taipei, Taiwan).

ü     Organized seminars and conferences on human rights in Montreal (Canada), Melbourne and Sydney (Australia), Munich (Germany), Washington, DC, New York (NY), Orlando (FL), New Orleans (LA), Houston and Dallas (TX), Westminster, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, San Jose and San Diego (CA), Seattle and Tacoma (WA), Denver (CO), etc.

ü       Translated and published The International Bill of Human Rights  and Voices from Vietnam for Human Rights (Những Tiếng Nói Quốc Nội Đòi Nhân Quyền) for distribution in Vietnam and overseas.

ü       Organized the International Human Rights Congress in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009.

ü       Presented the Vietnam Human Rights Award to prominent human rights activists in Vietnam each year since 2002.

ü       Provided financial and medical assistance to human rights activists persecuted by the Vietnamese government.

REQUEST FOR SUPPORT

All organizations and individuals are welcome to join VNHRN in our struggle for human rights in Vietnam. VNHRN is recognized by the IRS as an organization exempt from taxation under Section 502(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please send checks to:

Vietnam Human Rights Network

P.O. Box 385

Midway City, CA 92655

or use Paypal to donate:

For Contact

Vietnam Human Rights Network
8971 Colchester Ave

Westminster, CA 92683

U.S.A.
Tel.: (714) 657-9488 
Email: vnhrnet@vietnamhumanrights.net

Website: wwvv.vietnamhumanrights.net

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The VNHRN management for 2009-2011 listed below was selected and approved by the 9th Congress, including:

CoordinatiNG Committee

Chair: Dr. Nguyễn Bá Tùng

Chair Assistants : Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Trang and Mr. Lê Minh Nguyên

Vice Chairs:

Dr.  Lâm Thu Vân, In charge of Canada
Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Liên, Liaison with UN

Ms. Jackie Bông Wright, Liaison with US Government
Mr.  Đoàn Việt Trung, In charge of Australia

Ms. Quản Mỹ Lan, In charge of Europe

Lawyer Đoàn Thanh Liêm, Liaison with NGOs

Secretary General: Mr. Nguyễn Kim Bình

Treasurer: Mr Nguyễn Quang Huy

Permanent Committee Members:

Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Anh, Dr. Nguyễn Tiến Cảnh. Mr. Trần Minh Công, Mr. Đoàn Thế Cường, Mr. Tôn Thất Dziên, Miss. Nguyên Dung, Mr. Ngô Văn Hiếu, Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Quỳnh, Mr. Huỳnh Lương Thiện, Mrs. Đỗ Thị Thuấn, Mr. Chu Bá Yến, 

Supervisory Board

Chair: Dr. Nguyễn Văn Đức

Members:  Mr. Đỗ Anh Tài, Mr. Đỗ Như Điện

ADVISORY BOARD

Dr. Nguyễn Tường Bách, Prof.  Nguyễn Ngọc Bích, Mr. Nguyễn Minh Cần, Lawyer Trần Thanh Hiệp, Dr. Đoàn Viết Hoạt, Rev. Nguyễn Hữu Lễ, Mr. Phạm Ngọc Lũy, Dr. Nguyễn Quốc Quân, Poet Nguyễn Chí Thiện, Lawyer Nguyễn Hữu Thống, Dr.Nguyễn Văn Trần, Lawyer Lâm Lễ Trinh.