The appeal hearing of six Dong Tam people is an opportunity for the Vietnamese government to prove to the world the Vietnamese law’s justice. That is a statement, and also a call for Hanoi by a Swiss human rights activist, Ms. Pascale Berry Wavre, a member of the human rights organization Vietnam Swiss Association (COSUNAM). In an open letter to the Swiss press this week, Ms. Berry Wavre urged foreign tourists, who visit Vietnam or buy Vietnamese products, need to think about the price paid by Vietnamese people.
She had a talk with reporter Giang Nguyen to further develop her call.
Giang Nguyen: Your open letter begins with the following statements: “Vietnam murdered its own citizens – Not only in Burma where a one-party regime violently trampled human rights” – Why you wrote this letter and who is she aiming for?
Pascale Berry Wavre: Incoming four days, Vietnam faces a very important challenge, but also an opportunity for Vietnamese authorities to move towards a more independent judiciary. This appeal hearing follows last September, where minimum legal standards have not been respected. We know the two sons of the spiritual chief of the village were sentenced to death. He himself was murdered by security forces in the attack on Dong Tam in 2020. His nephew was sentenced to life in prison. Now is the time when the Higher People’s Court in Hanoi has the opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities and its readiness to move towards a more democratic justice.
Very importantly, the purpose of this interview is to make the public aware of the situation. As you know, the media has a powerful effect on public opinion. These days, social media is taking on this role again. This impact can tarnish (Vietnam’s) reputation. Therefore, I hope the Supreme Court is aware of the impact of this appeal.
Giang Nguyen: When you say “mass,” are you referring to the Swiss mass or the international general public?
Pascale Berry Wavre: Yes, all of them. That is the purpose of speaking and I am only one voice out of millions of voices and every voice is important.
Giang Nguyen: In the letter, you wrote quite a in detail about the military airport development plan in Dong Tam. Do you think that not many people know about it yet? I also pay special attention to the concluding request of your letter, as you linked the land affair with the development of the tourism industry. Is this one of the areas in which you think more people should understand Vietnam’s development plans?
Pascale Berry Wavre: I think the more informed the public, the more they will think about it before going on vacation. That is obvious. Today the country’s (Vietnam) image is associated with the idea of a destination with strange and beautiful hotels. If you know the price people pay for building these hotels, then you will think, choose a different destination.
That is the important thing that we should say. Recently there was a small move from the Vietnamese government. On the 19th of last month, the Prime Minister of Vietnam shared Vietnam’s tourism development strategy to 2030. On that occasion, he said that “This strategy will include improving the political institutions of the country.” So what we, everyone, are hoping for is that on March 8, these promises will be fulfilled. I think it is a great opportunity to show the Vietnamese government is aware that the image of Vietnam is tied to the willingness of tourists to choose their dream destinations. But in reality, Vietnam is more like a nightmare.
Giang Nguyen: A lot of tourists from Europe visit Vietnam. Do you think these people are now more aware of human rights issues, can they have some effect in demanding or pushing for a more just government?
Pascale Berry Wavre: Yes, I firmly believe that. Through social media, people are more aware of and information goes very quickly. The tourists are me and you. We want to go to a place where we can rest in a beautiful place. Vietnam is a beautiful country. The price people pay behind every luxury hotel, behind every place that is normally just a green field, where the minimum human rights are not respected.
I think Vietnamese officials have to understand the link between the two. That’s why I really hope that they’ll pick March 8 as a chance. They cannot hide such facts. It is no longer possible today. The time has come for the Prime Minister to take a step towards a more open, democratic one. This appeal is an opportunity for them to show that they are ready to take some steps towards a more democratic Vietnam.
Giang Nguyen: Yes, that is desirable and also the reason why you gave the open letter. It is known that it will be published in local newspapers such as Switzerland’s Le Temps and Tribune de Génève.
Pascale Berry Wavre: I really hope the Higher People’s Court in Hanoi will be aware of the impact of the outcome of this appeal hearing. This is a question of Vietnam’s image, and this image has an impact on the tourism industry. A very simple problem.
Giang Nguyen: Thank you very much Ms.Berry Wavre for taking the time and speaking up about this matter.
Thoibao.de (Translated)
