Dear The Honourable Prime Minister Jean Chretien,
Dear The Honourable Minister of State and Leader of Government Don Boudria,
We are writing to you concerning the 13th Ministerial Conference of la Francophonie being held in Moncton, New Brunswick, on August 31 to September 5, 1999. As you are aware, the goals of the Conference are more than just economic and linguistic: it seeks to advance the lot of humanity as a whole. Freedom, democracy and human rights are at the very core of the Conference's laudable ideals.
Vietnam has been a member of la Francophonie since 1986, but sadly, has done little to advance the ideals the Conference stands for. The fact that the human rights situation in Vietnam today is unacceptable is not open to subjective interpretation. Numerous highly respected human rights organizations including Asia Watch and Amnesty International, Canadian Journalists For Freedom of Expression, and Pen Canada, have documented widespread abuses in Vietnam over the past two decades. We strongly urge that Canada make human rights in Vietnam an issue at the Conference this year.
While criticizing a guest country may be bad decorum, to do otherwise would harm the credibility of the Francophonie Conference. The integrity of the Conference and its message of peace, justice and freedom is of overriding importance. To compromise that for the sake of diplomatic nicety would be a disservice to the Conference and all who support and admire what La Francophonie does and what it stands for. At the Conference in Moncton, all we ask is that you let your conscience be your guide.
Respectfully yours,
Chi Dang (Mrs.)
President, Vietnamese Association of Greater Toronto
and
Duong V. Anh (Mr.)
Chair of Vietnamese Human Rights Advocacy Coalition of Greater Toronto