Human Rights in Vietnam - Research Paper Example

Every country has to abide with human rights laws. Every constitution has to focus on human rights. Rights have been described by the United Nations in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. There are also many other accounts of human rights that are present in other countries' governments and organizations. Vietnam is considered to be a country that is poor in human rights. The Communist Party of Vietnam governs the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. "Vietnam insists that human rights are a part of its own internal affairs and are inherently connected with the country's history, culture, tradition, and socioeconomic conditions" (Alagappa 457).

There are no other legal political parties. The elections of 2002 were considered unfair as all candidates were chosen by the CPVs Vietnam Father Front or the VFF. The VFF was a group that monitored the country's popular organizations. The control of the security forces was maintained by the civil authorities. The Vietnamese government's human rights record has remained unsatisfactory. Abuses committed by local government official continued despite efforts made by the central authorities to monitor abuse concerns, particularly religious freedom.

The Vietnamese people could not change the government, though several organizations that fought for this cause were not suppressed completely. The government wanted to enforce its control over the internet and press. "Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Vietnam for its witch-hunt of those trying to disseminate information about democracy via the internet and urges the release of cyber prisoners" (Boobbyer, Spooner and O'TAilan 245) There were instances when police officials abused people during arrests, interrogation, and detention.

Prison conditions were harsh but yet did not terrorize the lives of prisoners. Many prisons faced problems like insufficient diets, overcrowding, and poor sanitation. Prisoners were made to work but did not receive any wages for their duties. Prisoners were also reported to be moved to solitary confinement. The government did not grant permission to international organizations like the Red Cross or other non-governmental organizations to visit the prisons. Many citizens were detained for political activities at random.

Citizens were deprived of the right to fair trials. Many other human rights were constantly monitored by the government and the government placed their limitations on human rights. Some of these rights included the right to freedom of press, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association. The government also maintained its ban on human rights organizations. Women in Vietnam suffered many threats; they faced plenty of discrimination and violence. Trafficking of women and children, and child prostitution remained prevalent, though the government made efforts to fight trafficking.

Government monitored workers' rights, in particular organization that functioned independently. The Vietnamese government officially grants the freedom of religion. However, non-sanctioned groups usually face plenty of harassment. Additionally, the government constantly monitors these groups, justifying the act saying it is for the benefit of national unity. The Vietnamese government also lacks in the process of political trials, like, persecution of unauthorized religious organizations, independent journalists, labor union activists, land