What does CIVICUS Monitor misrepresent?
CIVICUS Monitor is the abbreviation of the organization "Global Alliance for Citizen Participation", a non-governmental organization headquartered in Johanesburg (South Africa). In recent years, this organization has continuously made misleading and one-sided comments and assessments on issues of democracy and human rights in general, and on social life in Vietnam in particular. On December 6, 12, this organization issued a report "People's power under attack in 2023" of 2023 countries and territories, which misrepresented that in Vietnam "there is civil society space and rights". democratic freedom is closed"!
CIVICUS falsely 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 prison". This organization advocates and demands the release of those who violate Vietnamese law when committing acts of propaganda against the state and taking advantage of democratic freedoms such as Truong Van Dung, Tran Van Bang, Phan Son Tung…; making false allegations that people's freedoms are being stifled and suppressed by the government. Through CIVICUS's false allegations, it shows that this organization's plots and tricks are as follows:
Firstly, slandering Vietnam's democratic freedoms as being "hidden" in order to promote the creation of organizations masquerading as "civil society" that do not operate in accordance with their principles and purposes; deny Vietnam's democratic and human rights achievements; lowering our country's position and reputation in the international arena.
Second, making "demands" demanding the expansion of freedom and democracy outside the law; demand the implementation of a multi-party regime and promote the birth of political organizations that oppose the trend of breaking away from the Party's leadership and State management, carrying out plots to eliminate the Party's leadership role and replace it. change political institutions in Vietnam.
Third, seek to incite protests, demonstrations, and riots to overthrow. Influencing and intervening in democracy and human rights issues, considering it as a driving force to promote the development of disguised "civil society".
Fourth, praise those who hide in the shadow of "dissidents" and "social critics" in the country and operate in an independent, illegal, and sabotaging direction against the Party and the State.
Thus, with the above plots and tricks, it shows that CIVICUS has been promoting wrongdoing, promoting the birth of opposition political forces and organizations, driving towards a model of "society". "politically independent civil society" in the Western style, weakening the State's management and eliminating the leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam. When accusing civil space in Vietnam of being "shrinked" and "sealed", 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 is taken from reactionary organizations hostile to Vietnam. Therefore, the assessments in the published report are all one-sided and wrong.
It is necessary to properly understand civil society
Civil society is an important step in the history of human society in community organization. In addition to the advances 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 promotion of independence and escapism, but the discoveries, recommendations, and proposals that have a theoretical and practical basis, in accordance with the viewpoints and policies of civil society. way of the ruling party, which must take the interests of the majority of the people, the interests of the social community, and the nation as its operating principles and goals. There are no social institutions that allow organizations and individuals to violate the legitimate rights and interests of other individuals and organizations for their own benefit, causing harm to the country and its people.
If civil society organizations operate according to their principles and purposes and bring value to society and the country, they are very valuable and worthy of honor. However, if civil society issues are exploited to create conflicts, wars, and pain, they must be condemned and eliminated. There is no precedent in the world. The failure of the socialist model in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the late 80s and 90s of the twentieth century, coups, government overthrows, "color revolutions", "street revolutions" ” in the XNUMXst century are typical examples of how civil society has been distorted and taken advantage of, which is the deep source of the above situation.
In Vietnam, respecting and ensuring civil rights and human rights is affirmed in the Constitution, clearly demonstrating the good nature of our regime, which is a regime owned by the people under the leadership of the people. leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Accordingly, Article 14, 2013 Constitution stipulates: In the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, human rights and civil rights in politics, civil, economics, culture and society are recognized and respected. , protect and ensure according to the Constitution and law. Human rights and civil rights can only be limited according to the provisions of law in cases of necessity for reasons of national defense, national security, social order and safety, social ethics, and the health of people. community.
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, meetings, associations, and demonstrations. 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, 1), according to which workers have the right to establish and participate in Independent trade unions and employee organizations according to the provisions of law.
In addition to 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 December 21, 4. April 2010, regulations on organization, operation and management of associations; Decree No. 93/2019/ND-CP, dated November 25, 11 on the organization and operations 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 illegal activities in the shadow of establishing "civil society" must be handled according to regulations. The Vietnamese legal system aims to protect human rights, civil rights, and bring people to the values of truth, goodness, and beauty. Any individual or organization that violates the legitimate rights and interests of individuals, organizations, or the interests of the State or society will be handled according to the law.
Reality refutes false allegations
By the end of 2022, the country has a total of 93.438 associations, including 571 associations operating nationwide or inter-provincially and 92.854 associations operating locally. The whole country has 125.342 grassroots trade unions out of a total of 10.579.045 trade union members; The ratio of union members to workers in agencies, organizations and enterprises is 87%. Associations in Vietnam are diverse and rich, present in all areas of social life. Many associations have actively contributed to promoting the people's right to mastery, participating in building mechanisms, policies and laws, and conducting social supervision and criticism of the Party's guidelines and policies. and government.
Besides creating favorable conditions for domestic associations and organizations to operate, Vietnam is also very interested in and supports the operation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This is clearly shown in the Government's decrees, including Decree 80/2020/ND-CP dated July 8, 7 on management and use of non-refundable aid that does not belong to development support. official documents of foreign agencies, organizations and individuals for Vietnam; Decree No. 2020/58/ND-CP, dated August 2022, 31 on registration and management of activities of foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam... According to statistics by the end of 8, there were more than 2022 organizations. Foreign NGOs have relationships and activities in Vietnam, many NGOs have made positive contributions to Vietnam's development that are recognized and highly appreciated by the Party, State and people of Vietnam.
Claiming to be a human rights organization, CIVICUS ignores the above realities, does not care, does not contact or exchange with competent organizations from which to make objective and honest assessments. , correct. Clearly, CIVICUS is only trying to give false numbers and information as an excuse to sabotage Vietnam, not following its principles and goals.
In the context of many complex changes in the world situation, Vietnam is still a destination of peace, solidarity and friendship. Major countries all consider Vietnam an important partner, in which only in 2023, Vietnam has upgraded its relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership with the United States and Japan. Leaders of countries when coming to Vietnam are impressed and highly appreciate Vietnam's development in all fields of social life. Vietnam's contributions to human rights 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 fighting, protecting, and enforcing human and civil rights, and is an ideal investment destination for business partners. international.
In such a country, freedom cannot be distorted or distorted, as freedom is "closed" and "suffocated" as CIVICUS argued. The Party, State and people of Vietnam are ready to exchange and share with all international organizations and non-governmental organizations in the spirit of construction, openness and cooperation to develop together.
