Human Rights Alert
Posted by eastwesteurope08 on February 27, 2008
It’s a one-party state. People are arrested for listening to foreign radio stations or providing those broadcasters with information. Dissidents are sent to re-education camps. Opposition people demanding free and fair elections are harassed and jailed.
Cuba?
No!
Zimbabwe?
No
Here’s a hint – they are busily embracing aspects of capitalism to distract people from demands for freedom.
Ah … China?
No!
Viet Nam’s premier is due to visit here next week at the invitation of the German and British leaders. And Bertie Ahern.
Almost everything said about Cuba in the previous post applies to Viet Nam. Except , that is, for their exploration of market economics. But our message should be clear: Viet Nam’s enjoyment of the fruits of a market opening and trade should …. must … be conditional on starting a transition to democracy like the other ex-Communist states. China is too powerful – we cannot dictate to a giant. But we can make a difference to a smaller state like Viet Nam.
Now, where are the human rights solidarity people this time?
Let me guess – Burma, Zimbabwe, ………
And David Norris…..?
Viet Nam is not so far from Timor.
