UPDATE
Dec 1, 2009
Vietnamese government authorities hesitate to expel 330 Bat Nha monks and nuns from Phuoc Hue temple, but force 20 refugee Bat Nha monastics to flee Tu Duc temple, several hundred kilometres away in Khanh Hoa Province
After international pressure, authorities hesitate to crackdown at Phuoc Hue, yet expel 20 refugee Bat Nha monastics from another remote temple
European Parliament passes resolution: Vietnam must curb human rights violations
PRESS RELEASE
26 Nov. 09
As tension rises in Vietnam, European Parliament condemns Bat Nha crackdown and calls for an end to all persecution and harassment of Buddhists
In a special session on Thursday 26 Nov. the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning the violence against Bat Nha monks and nuns and calling on Vietnam to curb [...]
Europe raises its voice against Bat Nha crackdown
The Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, Heidi Hautala speaks out against the Vietnamese government’s increasingly aggressive persecution of the Bat Nha community. Ms. Hautala made this announcement on her website on Nov. 13th:
Violent crackdowns in Vietnam must stop
Chairwoman Hautala has expressed concern over the information her office has received concerning the recent [...]
Prayers for Bat Nha – Short Film from Sangha Brother Velcrow Ripper
“If we want to end the war in the world, we need to end the war in our own hearts.”
Dear friends,
Let us continue to send our energy of practice, our peace and calm to the Bat Nha Brothers and Sisters who are still under surveillance and without a clear resolution to their situation. Sangha [...]
Vietnam: Sharp Backsliding on Religious Freedom
18 Oct. ‘09
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH report: Harsh Crackdown on Followers of Buddhist Peace Activist Thich Nhat Hanh
Bat Nha Monastics sit still in refuge at Phuoc Hue Pagoda – 05/10/09
“Once again Vietnam has clamped down on a peaceful religious group – even one that was initially welcomed by the government. The government views many [...]
Letter From a US Police Captain to Vietnamese Government
To: Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, President of Vietnam
Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Vietnam
Minister of National Public Security Department of the Republic Socialist of Vietnam
(Bo Truong Bo Cong An nuoc Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam)
From: Captain Cheri Maples, United States of America
Date: October 15, 2009
Re: Monastics of Bat Nha Monastery
Dear Sirs,
I [...]
British Embassy in Hanoi requests meeting with the Vietnamese Government
The UK Embassy in Hanoi has “requested a meeting with the Vietnamese Government”, helpbatnha.org has learned today.
Leading human rights expert demands investigation into attacks on Bat Nha monks and nuns
The monks’ and nuns’ “most basic human rights were violated” when they were violently evicted from Bat Nha “without any kind of legal process,” said Secretary General of the International Service for Human Rights, Mr. Vũ Quốc Dụng.
Vietnam government violates fundamental human rights of Bat Nha monks and nuns
Any discrimination against anyone on the basis of religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender or sexuality is against international law of human rights. This is especially so in the case of religion, because the international community has recognized the sacredness of the right to practice religion freely – as an individual and as a group.
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez speaks out for Bat Nha
I find it appalling that a country which blatantly acts in disregard to the UN Declaration will be acting as President of the UN Security Council in October. I request that you [Secretary Clinton] strongly urge the Government of Vietnam to meet its obligations to the UN and its people by upholding the basic principles [...]