Presentation of the Viet Youth for Democracy

I. Acknowledgement

a. Current situation in Vietnam:

• Backwardness in every aspect

According to a recent survey, if Vietnam could keep its current high rate of economic development, it would take almost 200 years to catch Singapore, a small country next to Voetnam.

• Corruption is “national calamity”

According to Transparency International, the corruption ranking of Vietnam is 107 among 145 countries in 2005.

• Civil and Human rights are violated

There is no free and fair election, no freedom of speech, no freedom of press, no freedom of formation of associations and political parties. Democracy activists are arrested, harrassed by the government.

• Religious setcs are not completely free to act

Many religious organisations are forbidden in Vietnam. For example, the Most Venerable Thich Quang Do of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam was arrested and now he is kept under surveillance.

• National security is threaten

The Vietnam government has not dared to show the China – Vietnam border map to vietnamese people.

• Critical social inequalities

The disparity in wealth between urban and rural Vietnam is critically wide. And only the relatives of communist leaders can take the power.

• Polluted environment

From 2006-2010, Vietnam must repay $10-11bil of foreign debt, according to the Ministry of Finance. The total debt Vietnam has incurred is around $20bil.

b. The danger and harm of one party regime

• Violation of article 2 of the constitution

Article 2: “The Government of Socialist Republic of Vietnam is of the people, for the

people and by the people”

Such a government must have free and fair elections, with many political parties, and social strata to participate. But until now, ballots and elections were pre-approved only through the Fatherland Front, a state-run communist organ. So the Congress doesn’t represent the will and opinion of the people. Congress’ deputies are not elected by the people, not responsible for the people. Hence, government elected by one political party system is unconstitutional.

• Violation of article 3 of the constitution

Article 3: ”Government guarantees the practice of a fair and democratic society”

But a fair society is not possible with one political party and democracy is non-existent in a one political party regime. So one political party regime is a violation of the constitution.

• Violation of article 69 of the constitution

Article 69: “Citizens have the freedom of speech, press, information; right to

congregate, to organize, to demonstrate…”

Nonetheless, there is no private press, no organization, no demonstrations permitted. All of the above are violations of human and civil rights and these violations are creating crimes.

II. Introducing the Viet Youth for Democracy

a. Circumstances

b. Objectives

• Open opportunities for Vietnamese Youth to contribute ideas and opinions

• Prepare the young vietnameses to participate in genuinely democratic parties

c. Process of activities

• Dialogue

• Help victims of injustices

• Send appeals, requests, collect signatures

• Communicate, propagate law and democratic documents

• Organize seminars, meetings, moderate non-violent demonstrations

d. Recent activities

• Marathon connecting people worldwide event from July 2006 until now to collect signatures asking for the support of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) leaders for the democracy in Vietnam. The APEC summit will be host by Vietnam government in November 2006.

• Meet the President of the United States of America, George W.Bush and his staffs at the Broken Spoke Ranch, Austin, Texas.

• Meetthe Chair of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, René Van der Linden.

• Meet the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper.

• Create many blogs and web sites to promote democracy.

• Operate the radio “The voice of vienamese youth” on Internet

• Publish Phia Truoc (Ahead) magazine.

• Cooperate with other organizations, other democracy activists in many events.