The Misconceptions of the CIVICUS Organization

What does Civic Monitor distort?

Civic Monitor is the acronym for the "Global Alliance for Citizen Participation," a non-governmental organization based in Johannesburg, South Africa. In recent years, this organization has consistently made inaccurate and biased assessments of democracy and human rights in general, and of social life in Vietnam in particular. On December 6, 2023, the organization released its report, "People Power Under Attack 2023," covering 198 countries and territories, which falsely claimed that Vietnam "has a closed space for civil society and democratic freedoms"!

CIVICUS falsely accuses: “In Vietnam, the government has pressured social media platforms,” and “more than 100 human rights defenders are still imprisoned and subjected to discrimination in detention centers.” The organization defends and demands the release of individuals who violated Vietnamese law by engaging in anti-state propaganda and abusing democratic freedoms, such as Truong Van Dung, Tran Van Bang, and Phan Son Tung…; it also spreads the false narrative that people's freedoms are stifled and suppressed by the government. These false claims by CIVICUS reveal the organization's ulterior motives and tactics as follows:

Firstly, they falsely accuse Vietnam of "suppressed" democratic freedoms in order to encourage the emergence of organizations masquerading as "civil society" that operate contrary to their stated purpose; deny Vietnam's achievements in democracy and human rights; and undermine our country's standing and prestige in the international arena.

Secondly, they put forward "demands" for the expansion of freedoms and democracy outside the law; they demand the implementation of a multi-party system and promote the emergence of political organizations that oppose the Party's leadership and the State's management, aiming to eliminate the Party's leadership role and change the political system in Vietnam.

Thirdly, they seek to incite resistance, protests, and riots aimed at overthrowing the government. They influence and interfere in issues of democracy and human rights, viewing them as a driving force to promote the development of a disguised "civil society."

Fourth, it involves praising those who hide behind the guise of "dissidents" and "social critics" within the country, operating independently, illegally, and undermining the Party and the State.

Thus, these schemes and tactics demonstrate that Civics has been promoting wrongdoing, fostering the emergence of opposition political forces and organizations, steering towards a Western-style model of "politically independent civil society," weakening state management, and eliminating the leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam . By claiming that civil space in Vietnam is "narrowing" and "closed off," Civics clearly shows its prejudice against Vietnam. This organization has not conducted any research in Vietnam; all the information it obtains comes from reactionary organizations hostile to Vietnam. Therefore, the assessments in the published report are biased and inaccurate.

We need to have a proper understanding of civil society.

Civil society represents a significant step forward in the history of human society in community organization. Alongside advancements in state institutions, society has also developed a rich and diverse range of social institutions. The noteworthy value of civil society lies not in excessively emphasizing independence or detachment, but in its theoretically and practically grounded innovations, proposals, and suggestions that align with the views and policies of the ruling party. These must prioritize the interests of the vast majority of the people, the interests of the community, and the nation as their guiding principles and goals. No social institution should allow organizations or individuals to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other individuals or organizations for their own benefit, thereby harming the country and its people.

Civil society organizations, if they operate according to their principles and objectives and bring value to society and the nation, are very valuable and worthy of honor. However, if civil society is exploited to create conflict, war, and cause suffering, it must be condemned and eradicated. There are precedents around the world. The failure of the socialist model in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and 1990s, the coups, overthrows of governments, and the "color revolutions" and "street revolutions" in the 21st century are typical examples showing how civil society has been distorted and exploited, which is the root cause of the aforementioned problems.

In Vietnam, respect for and guarantee of civil and human rights are affirmed in the Constitution, clearly demonstrating the positive nature of our regime, which is a regime of the people 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 political, civil, economic, cultural, and social spheres are recognized, respected, protected, and guaranteed according to the Constitution and laws. Human rights and civil rights can only be restricted by law in necessary cases 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 shall be regulated by law.” When Vietnam joined the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), we amended the Labor Code (effective from January 1, 2021), according to which workers have the right to establish and join independent trade unions and workers' organizations as prescribed by law.

Besides 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 has also issued Decree No. 45/2010/ND-CP, dated April 21, 2010, regulating the organization, operation, and management of associations; and Decree No. 93/2019/ND-CP, dated November 25, 2019, on the organization and operation of social funds and charitable funds. All established organizations and groups must strictly comply with the provisions of the Constitution and laws of Vietnam. Any activities disguised as the establishment of "civil society" that operate illegally must be dealt with according to regulations. The Vietnamese legal system aims to protect human rights and civil rights, guiding people towards the values of truth, goodness, and beauty. Regardless of whether it's an individual or an organization, any infringement upon the legitimate rights and interests of individuals, organizations, the State, or society will be dealt with according to the law.

Facts disprove false claims.

As of the end of 2022, the country had a total of 93,438 associations, including 571 associations operating nationwide or across provinces and 92,854 associations operating at the local level. There were 125,342 grassroots trade unions nationwide, with 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 extensively, present in all areas of social life. Many associations have made positive contributions to promoting the people's right to self-governance, participating in the development of mechanisms, policies, and laws, and carrying out social supervision and criticism of the Party and State's policies.

Besides facilitating the activities of domestic associations and organizations, Vietnam also pays great attention to and supports the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This is clearly demonstrated in government decrees, including Decree 80/2020/ND-CP dated July 8, 2020, on the management and use of non-refundable aid not classified as official development assistance from foreign agencies, organizations, and individuals to Vietnam; and Decree 58/2022/ND-CP dated August 31, 2022, on the registration and management of activities of foreign NGOs in Vietnam... According to statistics, by the end of 2022, there were more than 900 foreign NGOs with relations and activities in Vietnam, many of which have made positive contributions to Vietnam's development, recognized and highly appreciated by the Party, State, and people of Vietnam.

Claiming to be a human rights organization, CIVICUS ignores the aforementioned realities, failing to engage with, contact, or exchange information with competent organizations to obtain objective, truthful, and accurate assessments. Clearly, CIVICUS only seeks to present false figures and information as a pretext to undermine Vietnam, failing to adhere to its stated principles and objectives.

Despite the complex and volatile global situation, Vietnam remains a destination of peace, solidarity, and friendship. Major powers consider Vietnam an important partner; in 2023 alone, Vietnam upgraded its relationship with the United States and Japan to comprehensive strategic partnerships. Leaders visiting Vietnam are impressed and highly appreciate Vietnam's development in various aspects of social life. Vietnam's contributions to human rights and world peace have been highly valued by the international community. Vietnam has sent a message to the international community that it is a peaceful country, a symbol of the struggle to protect and uphold human and civil rights, and an ideal investment destination for economic partners.

Such a country cannot be distorted or misrepresented as having its freedoms "closed off" or "stifled," 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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