The Misconceptions of the CIVICUS Organization

What does CIVICUS Monitor misrepresent?

CIVICUS Monitor is the abbreviation of the organization “Global Alliance for Citizen Participation”, a non-governmental organization based in Johannesburg (South Africa). In recent years, this organization has continuously made incorrect and biased comments and assessments on the issue of democracy and human rights in general, and on social life in Vietnam in particular. On December 6, 2023, this organization released the report “People's Power Under Attack in 2023” of 198 countries and territories, in which it distorted that in Vietnam “there is a space for civil society and democratic freedoms that are closed”!

CIVICUS accused: “In Vietnam, the government has put pressure on social media platforms”, “more than 100 human rights defenders are still imprisoned and discriminated against in prisons”. This organization defends and demands the release of a number of subjects who violate Vietnamese law when they commit crimes of propagandizing against the state, taking advantage of democratic freedoms such as Truong Van Dung, Tran Van Bang, Phan Son Tung...; making false arguments when claiming that people's freedom is being stifled and oppressed by the government. Through CIVICUS's false arguments, it shows the plot and tricks of this organization as follows:

Firstly, accusing Vietnam of "covering up" its democratic freedoms in order to encourage the establishment of organizations disguised as "civil society" that operate contrary to their purposes and objectives; denying Vietnam's achievements in democracy and human rights; and lowering our country's position and prestige in the international arena.

Second, making "demands" to expand freedom and democracy outside the law; demanding the implementation of a multi-party system and promoting the establishment of political organizations that oppose the trend of breaking away from the Party's leadership and State management, carrying out the plot to eliminate the Party's leadership role and change the political regime in Vietnam.

Third, seek to incite protests, demonstrations, riots and overthrow. Influence and interfere in democracy and human rights issues, considering them as a driving force to promote the development of a disguised “civil society”.

Fourth, praising those who hide behind the guise of "dissidents" and "social critics" in the country to operate independently, illegally, and against the Party and the State.

Thus, with the above plots and tricks, it shows that CIVICUS has been promoting wrongdoings, promoting the birth of opposition political forces and organizations, leading to a Western-style "politically independent civil society" model, weakening the management of the State, and eliminating the leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam . When attributing that the civil space in Vietnam is "narrowed" and "closed", it shows that CIVICUS has clearly shown prejudice against Vietnam. This organization does not have any testing activities in Vietnam, the information that CIVICUS has obtained is all taken from reactionary organizations that are hostile to Vietnam. Therefore, the assessments in the published report are all one-sided and incorrect.

Need to understand civil society correctly

Civil society is an important step forward in the history of human society in community organization. Along with the progress of state institutions, society has also formed a series of rich and diverse social institutions. The remarkable value of civil society is not the excessive emphasis on independence and separation, but rather the inventions, recommendations and proposals that have a theoretical and practical basis, consistent with the viewpoints and policies of the ruling party, in which the interests of the majority of the people, the interests of the social community, and the nation must be taken as the guiding principles and goals of activities. There is no social institution that allows organizations and individuals to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other individuals and organizations for their own benefit, causing harm to the country and the people.

If civil society organizations operate in accordance with their purposes and objectives, bringing value to society and the nation, they are very valuable and worthy of honor. However, if civil society is exploited to create conflicts, wars, and cause suffering, it must be condemned and eliminated. There are precedents in the world. The failure of the socialist model in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the late 80s and 90s of the 20th century, the coups, overthrows of governments, "color revolutions" and "street revolutions" in the 21st century are typical examples showing that civil society has been distorted and exploited, which is the deep root cause of the above situation.

In Vietnam, the respect and guarantee of civil rights and human rights are affirmed in the Constitutions, clearly demonstrating the good nature of our regime, which is a regime in which the people are masters under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Accordingly, Article 14 of the 2013 Constitution stipulates: In the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, human rights and civil rights in the political, civil, economic, cultural and social fields are recognized, respected, protected and guaranteed in accordance with the Constitution and the law. Human rights and civil rights can only be restricted in accordance with the provisions of law in cases of necessity for reasons of national defense, national security, social order and safety, social morality and public health.

Vietnamese law does not prohibit the establishment and operation of civil society organizations. Article 25 of the 2013 Constitution stipulates: “Citizens have the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, access to information, assembly, association, and demonstration. The exercise of these rights is prescribed by law.” When Vietnam joined the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), we amended the Labor Code (effective from January 1, 2021), accordingly, workers have the right to establish and participate in independent trade unions and workers' organizations in accordance with the law.

In addition to the laws regulating the establishment and operation of associations such as the 2015 Penal Code, the Trade Union Law, and the 2015 Civil Code, the Government also issued Decree No. 45/2010/ND-CP, dated April 21, 2010, regulating the organization, operation and management of associations; Decree No. 93/2019/ND-CP, dated November 25, 2019, on the organization and operation of social funds and charity funds. All established organizations and groups must strictly comply with the provisions of the Constitution and laws of Vietnam. Any activities under the guise of establishing "civil society" operating illegally must be handled in accordance with regulations. The Vietnamese legal system aims to protect human rights and civil rights, bringing people to the values of truth, goodness and beauty. Any individual or organization that infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of individuals, organizations, the interests of the State and society will be handled according to the law.

Facts refute false arguments

By the end of 2022, the country had a total of 93,438 associations, including 571 associations operating nationwide or inter-provincially and 92,854 associations operating locally. The country had 125,342 grassroots trade unions out of a total of 10,579,045 union members; the ratio of union members to workers in agencies, organizations and enterprises was 87%. Associations in Vietnam have developed diversely and richly, present in all areas of social life. Many associations have actively contributed to promoting people's mastery, participating in building mechanisms, policies and laws, and conducting social supervision and criticism of the Party and State's policies and guidelines.

In addition to creating favorable conditions for domestic associations and organizations to operate, Vietnam also pays great attention to and supports the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This is clearly shown in the Government's decrees, including Decree 80/2020/ND-CP dated July 8, 2020 on the management and use of non-refundable aid not belonging to official development assistance of foreign agencies, organizations and individuals for Vietnam; Decree No. 58/2022/ND-CP dated August 31, 2022 on registration and management of activities of foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam... According to statistics, by the end of 2022, there were more than 900 foreign NGOs having relations and operating in Vietnam, many NGOs have made positive contributions to the development of Vietnam, which have been recognized and highly appreciated by the Party, State and people of Vietnam.

Claiming to be a human rights organization, CIVICUS ignores the above facts, does not care, does not contact, or exchange with competent organizations to have objective, truthful, and correct assessments. Obviously, CIVICUS only seeks to present false figures and information as an excuse to sabotage Vietnam, and does not follow its stated principles and goals.

In the context of the complicated world situation, Vietnam is still a destination of peace, solidarity and friendship. Major countries consider Vietnam an important partner, in which in 2023 alone, Vietnam upgraded its relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership with the United States and Japan. Leaders of countries coming to Vietnam were impressed and highly appreciated Vietnam's development in all areas of social life. Vietnam's contributions to human rights work and world peace have been highly appreciated by the international community. Vietnam has sent messages to international friends that it is a peaceful country, a symbol of struggle, protection and enforcement of human rights and civil rights, and an ideal investment destination for economic partners.

Such a country cannot be distorted, cannot be misrepresented as “closed” or “stifled” freedom as CIVICUS argues. The Party, State and people of Vietnam are ready to exchange and share with all international organizations and non-governmental organizations in a constructive, open and cooperative spirit for mutual development.

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