US comment on detained persons wrong

The comment made by a US Embassy spokesperson expressing concern about the temporary detention of a number of persons on Sunday, August 21 in Hanoi is incorrect and unsuitable.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga made the statement while replying local and foreign reporters’ questions at a regular press briefing on August 25th.

“In Vietnam , citizens’ basic rights to freedom are clearly stipulated in the Vietnam Constitution and the regulations of the law, and those rights are ensured in reality,” she said.

Like all other law-governed states in the world, the implementation of rights to freedom and democracy must comply with the regulations of the law, Ms. Nga said, adding that this is clearly prescribed in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

She also said that Vietnam ’s authorized organs have dealt with those who performed acts which are against the law and disturbing public order.

“This deed is in accordance with the regulations of the law to ensure social order and safety,” she said.

Relating three persons detained on Sunday, August 21 in Hanoi ,  Ms. Nga said that according to Hanoi police department’s report, about 50 people gathered illegally into demonstrations in Ly Thai To park.  The security guards have patiently explained the regulations of law and tried to persuade  those persons to disperse and to return home.  However, they insulted the police, resisting the police and causing harm to law and order. The police had to arrest and detain them  in the citizens’  receiving office of the city.

However, those persons continued to shout and fight against the police and they were sent to My Dinh police station. There, most of them were imposed with  administrative fine and released. Only three extremists who deliberately try to violate the order were detained for investigation in a law suit.

On Aug 25^th afternoon, the three above-said people were freed on bail, according to diretor Board of Hanoi police department.