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       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, and 2003.

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 a non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. Please send checks to VNHRN office, or use Paypal to donate:

For Contact

Vietnam Human Rights Network
14550 Magnolia St., Suite 203

Westminster, CA 92683

U.S.A.
Tel.: (714) 897-1950 & (858) 837-2152 
Email: vnhrnet@vietnamhumanrights.net

Website: wwvv.vietnamhumanrights.net

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The VNHRN management for 2007-2009 listed below was selected and approved by the 8th Congress, including:

CoordinatiNG Committee

Chair: Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Trang

Chair Assistant : Mr. Lê Minh Nguyên

Vice Chairs:

Dr. Nguyễn Bá Tùng, In charge of central office
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

Lawyer Trần Thanh Hiệp: Representative in Europe

Treasurer: Mr Nguyễn Quang Huy

Ad hoc Committee Members:

Mr. Đỗ Anh Tài, Mr. Đỗ Thái Nhiên & Mr. Khúc Minh, In charge of Radio Broadcasting

Ms. Jackie Bông Wright & Ms Đỗ Thị Thuấn, In charge of Anti Human Trafficking

Mr. Đoàn Thế Cường, In charge of Operations

Permanent Committee Members:

Lawyer Đoàn Thanh Liêm, Mr. Ngô Văn Hiếu, Mr. Trần Minh Công, Mr. Tôn Thất Diên, Prof. Lưu Trung Khảo, Prof. Nguyễn Quốc Khải, Mr. Vũ Quốc Dụng, Mr. Trần Đức Thanh Phong, Mr. Nguyễn Anh Giao, Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Quỳnh, Mr. Huỳnh Lương Thiện, Dr. Trương Minh Trí, Mr. Lâm Đăng Châu, Ms. Nguyên Dung.

Supervisory Board

Chair: Mr. Đỗ Như Điện

Members:    Dr. Nguyễn Văn Đức & Mr. Nguyễn Ngọc Anh

ADVISORY BOARD

Rev. Nguyễn Hữu Lễ, Rev. Đặng Ngọc Báu, Rev Thích Chơn Thành, Lawyer Nguyễn Hữu Thống, Dr. Nguyễn Tường Bách, Lawyer Lâm Lễ Trinh, Poet Nguyễn Chí Thiện, Dr.Bùi Trọng Cường, Dr.Nguyễn Quốc Quân, Mr. Phạm Ngọc Lũy, Mr. Nguyễn Minh Cần, Prof. Nguyễn Ngọc Bích & Dr. Đoàn Viết Hoạt.