Response: Trials of Dega Political Prisoners

October 28, 2017

Rah Ma Hlach and Siu Koch were arrested on July 22, 2009. In 2010 they were sentenced to 12 and 9 years of imprisonment on charges of "undermining national solidarity". In other words, they were advocating for Dega rights. Source: Cong An Nhan Dan (People's Police) newspaper.

RESPONSE TO THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT REGARDING TRIALS OF DEGA POLITICAL PRISONERS.

BACKGROUND OF DEGA GENOCIDE

Since Vietnamese invasion of Dega Country in 1950 a deceptive propaganda campaign has been used to hide the genocide of the Dega people in our own homeland. Throughout Vietnamese occupation of Dega Country, war crimes have been committed against our people. The Vietnam Civil War was deliberately fought on Dega territory by 3 Vietnamese groups to systematically murder millions of the Dega people. The war acted as a cover up of Dega genocide. It was planned by high-ranking officials of both North Vietnam and South Vietnam who, together, established the Viet Cong group. U.S. aid to South Vietnam was a tool in their deceptive propaganda campaign. North Vietnam and the Viet Cong blamed the U.S. for the war crimes, while South Vietnam blamed the Viet Cong for the war crimes. In reality, the 3 Vietnamese groups were unified in these war crimes, without the knowledge of low-ranking officials. They shared one goal. That goal was to eliminate the Dega people as a nation to avoid disputes over Dega sovereignty and land rights.

Today that genocidal system continues in different ways including:

• Dega people are forcibly removed from our resource-rich territory to less fertile lands with poisoned environments.
• Poisoned food and beverages are imported into predominantly Dega communities to be sold.
• Dega political leaders and activists are murdered.
• Dega people are murdered daily by cars and buses.
• Dega people are murdered during hospital visits for organ trafficking.
• Dega women and young adults are kidnapped.
• Dega women are forcibly sterilized.
• Dega women are raped by Vietnamese security and police.
• Dega people are not allowed to hold political office with decision-making powers.
• Dega religious leaders are under the direct control of the Vietnamese government.

BACKGROUND OF RECENT PROTESTS

In 2001 and 2004 the Dega people living in Dega territory, now known as the Central Highlands of Vietnam, held peaceful demonstrations demanding the Vietnamese government honor their broken agreements to Dega self-determination. Vietnam responded with brutal military force and even encouraged Vietnamese civilians to attack Dega people. Thousands of Dega people were severely injured, murdered, imprisoned, and forced to flee our homeland. The protests were held to demand the Dega people's legal right to independence and ancestral lands. For that they were falsely accused of terrorism. To this day the Dega people are persecuted for their political and social justice activities.

While Vietnam continues to violate international laws, they make false claims of human rights "progress" to the world. Evidence of this "progress" are deceitful, coordinated efforts by Vietnam in tightly-controlled Dega communities. Local security forces and police use harassment, threats of imprisonment, and financial incentives to push this false narrative. The Vietnamese government has repeatedly lied to the Dega people. They have lied to the Vietnamese people, the United Nations, and the entire world.

POLITICAL IMPRISONMENT

Political imprisonment and genocide is a deliberate attempt by Vietnam to destroy the Dega people's legal rights to self-determination, independence, and ancestral lands. The Dega people who were imprisoned for their activities in the 2001 and 2004 protests were wrongfully charged by Vietnam with the following crimes:

1. Destroying Vietnamese national security. ---- The protests were held in the heart of Dega territory and were peaceful demonstrations. Vietnam responded with military force.
2. Discriminating against the Vietnamese people. ---- The Dega people are different as a nation from Vietnamese people. We seek to develop our country without foreign occupation.
3. Working together against the Vietnamese government. --- The Dega people have legal rights to independence as a sovereign nation.
4. Functioning against the government in the name of FULRO. ---- FULRO is a defunct organization. Dega FULRO was a political and militant organization that formed in 1964 out of self-defense against genocide and occupation by Vietnamese groups.
5. Destroying the Vietnamese economy. -- Dega human labor and Dega territory is exploited by Vietnam to benefit Vietnamese people and not the Dega people.
6. Connecting with Dega people in the United States. ---- The Vietnamese government has no right to criminalize interaction between Dega people in the Central Highlands and United States. We are family members, friends, and community members.

Below is a list of the names of Dega people arrested by Vietnam for their involvement in the 2001 and 2004 protests. People were sentenced to prison from two months up to seventeen years.

The following Dega people face 7 years or more of political imprisonment.

1. Y- Kur Buondap was sentenced to 17 years in jail.
2. Y- Ang Knul was sentenced to 11 years in jail.
3. Y- Ruih Eban was sentenced to 10 years in jail.
4. Y- Yoan Hmok was sentenced to 9 years in jail.
5. Y- Mun Nie Hrah was sentenced to 7 years in jail.
6. Ksor Senat was sentenced to 7 years in jail.

The following Dega people face less than 7 years of political imprisonment.

1. Y- Noel
2. Y Bling
3. Y- Kuo Buonya
4. Y- Tho Mas
5. Y- Rit Nie
6. Y- Bil Nie
7. Y- Mon Ea Nuol
8. Y- Ngun Khul
   1. While Y- Ngun Khul was in jail Vietnamese police raped his wife and impregnated her. Vietnamese police directed Y- Ngun's wife to not reveal this crime to others. This happens on a mass scale to Dega women with husbands who are political prisoners.
9. Y- Su Nie
   1. Y-Su was injected with poison by Vietnamese General Pham Van Dong in 2004. After poisoning Y-Su, General Pham Van Dong told Y-Su that he would be released to see his family during the 2 weeks he had left before death from the injection would take place. General Pham Van Dong told Y- Su that the Vietnamese government could kill the Dega people anytime they wanted to and no one would do anything about it.

Educated Dega people have also faced the same horrible fate of imprisonment and murder simply for their intelligence. This has been a tactic used by Vietnamese governments since 1950 to destroy the Dega nation and our movement for independence. They kill our political leaders, religious leaders, activists, and educated civilians. Fear, coercion, and brutal violence is then used by Vietnam to directly control any replacements and the Dega people.

The Dega people only want to restore the independence of our country and remove foreign occupation of our territory. We seek to do this peacefully. Instead, Vietnam kills Dega people like animals, without any compassion for our struggle that they too share in their history against the Chinese.

Y-MUT MLO'S MESSAGE

This is Y- Mut Mlo's message to all the Dega people who are wrongfully imprisoned for their political activities: You are heroes. The Dega Movement will not forget you. The Dega people will remember all of you. You did not do anything wrong but work for our people's rights. The Vietnamese government wrongfully charged you with crimes to cover their own crimes against the Dega people. The world will no longer believe their lies. We will keep fighting for our people.

This is Y- Mut Mlo's message to the Dega people in the Central Highlands: Do not give up. Do not be afraid. We will defeat the Vietnamese. Vietnam must end its illegal occupation of Dega Country. The Vietnamese will leave our homeland because the Vietnamese are foreigners and invaders. They came to our country, the Central Highlands, to take what belongs to the Dega people and to continue their genocide of our people. We must remain strong and united in our cause. The Dega people will get justice.

This is Y- Mut Mlo's message to Vietnam: We urge the Vietnamese government and civilians to peacefully withdraw from Dega territory, known as the Central Highlands. We do not seek war. We only want what is rightfully ours -- our land and our independence. We are determined to restore our country and to build our people's lives without persecution and racism. We seek freedom like the Vietnamese people have. Vietnam must honor Dega territorial integrity and rights to sovereignty in accordance with international law, especially as a member state of the United Nations.

God protect the Dega people. Guard the Dega people day and night. Let us keep pray for justice.

God bless Dega.

Y- Mut Mlo.

-----

Vietnam Statement on Trials of Dega Political Prisoners in English

Trial subjects disrupting national security

Tags: Y Kur BDap, Dega, Y Ang Knul, Ksor Senat, Krong Ana, Y Mun Nie H & quot, order and security, National Security, the direction, engaged, Buon Ma Thuot, organize, attract pull, hearing, object, month

2 days 16 and 17/11, Dak Lak Province People's Court opened a trial, the trial 6 offenders undermine order and security, divisive national unity. All 6 defendants were engaged in reactionary organizations, against the State under the leadership of a number of names in the US Fulro exile.

The six defendants include: Y Kur BDap, Y Ruih Ê Board, Y Yoan Hmok, Ang Knul Y, Y Mun Nie H "rah and Ksor Senat.

Trial Subjects disrupting national security

Who dragged cause disorder in the Central Highlands in February 4/2004 doing them before the people lang.Do names, and Ama Ama Newer Jul (in Ea Drong, Krong Buk district, Dak Lak) engaging, month 10/2001, Y Kur BDap (born 1971) participated in the organization Dega. May 2/2002, Y Kur BDap local fled and sought health 6/2002 to month Y Kuo Bya met and Y Su Nie is the leader of the organization to Ga in Dak Lak province.

Y Kur BDap tasked propaganda and force development in Krong Ana Fulro. Y Kur BDap regular contact by mobile phone with Y Duen BDap bosses Fulro exile in the United States to report on the activities of the reactionary organizations in Dak Lak, get the direction to conduct operations against the State.

From February to May 4/2004, Y and Y Kur BDap Ngun Knul they receive the guidance of exile in the US Fulro prepared for disturbances in many places on the day 04.10.2004. After the implementation of criminal behavior, they continue to entice illegally crossed the border to Cambodia.

Date 28/07/2004, Y Kur BDap same names Noel Y, Y and Y LHoi Bling by car to Kien Duc (DakRlap district, Dak Nong) to see Bird Mroi to flee abroad, was arrested.

The original name Ê Ruih Y (born 1960) Country trafficking KTur (Buar Chu commune, Buon Ma Thuot City) participating organizations Dega 10/2001 and Yoan Hmok Y (born 1981) in Village H "out Nung (Hoa Agreement, Krong Ana district) participated in this reactionary organization in 1/2003. Both names are frequently gathered with some names of organizations Fulro to entice some Dega Protestant and plays powerful role in directing the day 10/04/2004 mess.

They often communicate with some name Fulro exile in America, receiving their guidance to organize activities against the guidelines and policies of ethnic solidarity of the Party and State.

Ang Knul Y (born 1964), a native of Krong Ana district, engaged in organizing Fulro from May 2/2004 by name in wholesale Y Mas Crude Pu Hue (Ea Ktur, Krong Ana district) draws. Ang Y Knul duty up a list of people above 15 years old in Ea Ktur then submitted to Y Mas Coarse and entice them to conduct reactionary organizations to serve for the establishment of "Dega State".

In early May 4/2004, Y Ang Knul hook with some reactionary organization named in Fulro gather forces and means of preparing disturbances date 04/10/2004. After the disturbing failure, Y Ang Knul fled the area, continues to incite ethnic minority people and entice people illegally crossed the border.

Y Mun Nie H "Rah (born 1974) in Village A Le A (Ea Tam Ward, Buon Ma Thuot), participate in the organization from January 4/2004 Station Recommended by Y Rit Nie, Nie Y entice Bil. After 10/04/2004 day riots, Y Mun Nie H "Rah often contact American Medical report Duen BDdap situation at home, receive his guidance and continue to disrupt public order and security at attacks.

Ksor Senat (born 1976) in Village A Le A (Ea Tam Ward, Buon Ma Thuot), joined reactionary organizations Station from May 3/2004 Recommended by Y Mon Ea Nuôl working in Ea Tul Coffee Company ( coffee Corporation Vietnam) draws. Ksor Senat Y Mon and Y Ngunh Knul assigned organization Dega to disseminate to the village aims to: Ask the Business and government to withdraw from the Central Highlands and established "Dega State" .

Under the direction of Y in Duen BDap (in exile in the US), after 04.10.2004, Ksor Senat provide information distorting domestic situation abroad, aimed against the State.

At the hearing, questioning of the trial panel, the defendant admitted his guilt whole. Considering acts serious crime of 6 defendants are: disrupting national security, divisive national unity, against the peaceful life of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, the trial panel sentenced: Y Kur BDap - 17 years in prison; Ang Y Knul - 11 years in prison; Y Ruih Eban - 10 years in prison; Y Yoan Hmok - 9 years in prison; Y Mun Nie H "rah - 7 years in prison; Ksor Senat - 7 years in prison.

These objects may also be additional penalties are: local probation for 5 years, after prison.

Vietnam's Statement on Trials of Dega Political Prisoners in Vietnamese

Xét xử đối tượng phá rối trật tự an ninh quốc gia

Tags: Y Kur BĐáp, Đê Ga, Y Ang Knul, Ksor Senát, Krông Ana, Y Mun Niê H&quot, trật tự an ninh, An Ninh Quốc Gia, sự chỉ đạo, tham gia vào, Buôn Ma Thuột, tổ chức, lôi kéo, xét xử, đối tượng, tháng

Trong 2 ngày 16 và 17/11, TAND tỉnh Đăk Lăk đã mở phiên sơ thẩm, xét xử 6 đối tượng phạm tội phá hoại trật tự an ninh, gây chia rẽ đoàn kết dân tộc. Cả 6 bị cáo đều tham gia hoạt động trong tổ chức phản động, chống phá Nhà nước dưới sự chỉ đạo của một số tên Fulro lưu vong tại Mỹ.

Sáu bị cáo gồm: Y Kur BĐáp, Y Ruih Ê Ban, Y Yoan HMôk, Y Ang Knul, Y Mun Niê H"rah và Ksor Senát.

Xet xu doi tuong pha roi trat tu an ninh quoc gia

Những người bị lôi kéo gây rối trật tự ở Tây Nguyên hồi tháng 4/2004 đang làm kiểm điểm trước dân làng.Do các tên Ama Mơi và Ama Jul (ở xã Ea Đrông, huyện Krông Buk, Đăk Lăk) lôi kéo, tháng 10/2001, Y Kur BĐáp (SN 1971) tham gia tổ chức Đê Ga. Tháng 2/2002, Y Kur BĐáp bỏ trốn khỏi địa phương và đến tháng 6/2002 y đã tìm gặp được Y Kuơ Byă và Y Sú Niê là những tên cầm đầu tổ chức Đê Ga ở tỉnh Đăk Lăk.

Y Kur BĐáp đựợc giao nhiệm vụ tuyên truyền và phát triển lực lượng Fulro tại huyện Krông Ana. Y Kur BĐáp thường xuyên liên lạc bằng điện thoại di động với Y Duen BĐáp là trùm Fulro lưu vong ở Mỹ để báo cáo tình hình hoạt động của tổ chức phản động ở Đăk Lăk, nhận sự chỉ đạo tiến hành các hoạt động chống phá Nhà nước ta.

Từ tháng 2 đến tháng 4/2004, Y Kur BĐáp và Y Ngũn Knul nhận sự chỉ đạo của bọn Fulro lưu vong ở Mỹ đã chuẩn bị cho cuộc gây rối ở nhiều nơi vào ngày 10/4/2004. Sau khi thực hiện những hành vi tội phạm, bọn chúng tiếp tục lôi kéo người vượt biên trái phép sang Campuchia.

Ngày 28/7/2004, Y Kur BĐáp cùng các tên Y Noel, Y Bling và Y LHơi đi xe ôtô đến Kiến Đức (huỵện Đăk Rlấp, Đăk Nông) để gặp Điểu Mrơi để trốn ra nước ngoài thì bị bắt.

Các tên Y Ruih Ê ban (SN 1960) quê buôn KTur (xã Chư Buar, TP Buôn Ma Thuột) tham gia tổ chức Đê Ga tháng 10/2001 và Y Yoan HMôk (SN 1981) ở buôn H"ra Nung (xã Hòa Hiệp, huyện Krông Ana) tham gia vào tổ chức phản động này vào 1/2003. Cả hai tên đều thường xuyên tụ họp với một số tên trong tổ chức Fulro để lôi kéo một số người theo đạo Tin lành Đê Ga và đóng vai trò đắc lực trong việc chỉ đạo cuộc gây rối ngày 10/4/2004.

Bọn chúng thường xuyên liên lạc với một số tên Fulro lưu vong ở Mỹ, nhận sự hướng dẫn của chúng để tổ chức các hoạt động chống phá đường lối, chính sách đại đoàn kết các dân tộc của Đảng và Nhà nước ta.

Y Ang Knul (SN 1964), quê huyện Krông Ana, tham gia vào tổ chức Fulro từ tháng 2/2004 do tên Y Thô Mas ở buôn Pu Huê (xã Ea Ktur, huyện Krông Ana) lôi kéo. Y Ang Knul làm nhiệm vụ lập danh sách những người trên 15 tuổi ở xã Ea Ktur rồi nộp cho Y Thô Mas và tiến hành lôi kéo họ vào tổ chức phản động nhằm phục vụ cho việc thành lập “nhà nước Đê Ga“.

Vào đầu tháng 4/2004, Y Ang Knul móc nối với các một số tên trong tổ chức phản động Fulro tập hợp lực lượng, phương tiện chuẩn bị gây rối ngày 10/4/2004. Sau cuộc gây rối thất bại, Y Ang Knul bỏ trốn khỏi địa bàn, tiếp tục kích động bà con dân tộc thiểu số và lôi kéo người vượt biên trái phép.

Y Mun Niê H"Rah (SN 1974) ở buôn A Lê A (phường Ea Tam, TP Buôn Ma Thuột), tham gia vào tổ chức Đê Ga từ tháng 4/2004 do Y Rít Niê, Y Bil Niê lôi kéo. Sau cuộc bạo loạn ngày 10/4/2004, Y Mun Niê H"Rah thường liên lạc với Y Duen BDdáp ở Mỹ báo cáo tình hình ở quê nhà, nhận sự chỉ đạo của hắn và tiếp tục gây rối trật tự trị an tại địa phương.

Ksor Senát (SN 1976) ở buôn A Lê A (phường Ea Tam, TP Buôn Ma Thuột), tham gia tổ chức phản động Đê Ga từ tháng 3/2004 do Y Mon Ea Nuol làm việc ở Công ty cà phê Ea Tul (Tổng Công ty cà phê Việt nam) lôi kéo. Ksor Senát được Y Mon và Y Ngunh Knul giao tài liệu của tổ chức Đê Ga để phổ biến sâu rộng đến các buôn làng nhằm mục đích: Yêu cầu người Kinh và chính quyền rút khỏi Tây Nguyên và thành lập “nhà nước Đê Ga“.

Dưới sự chỉ đạo ở của Y Duen BĐáp (lưu vong ở Mỹ), sau ngày 10/4/2004, Ksor Senát cung cấp nhiều thông tin xuyên tạc tình hình trong nước ra nước ngoài, nhằm chống phá Nhà nước.

Tại phiên tòa, trả lời thẩm vấn của Hội đồng xét xử, các bị cáo đã thừa nhận toàn bộ tội lỗi của mình. Xét hành vi tội phạm nghiêm trọng của 6 bị cáo là: phá rối trật tự an ninh quốc gia, gây chia rẽ đoàn kết dân tộc, chống phá cuộc sống yên lành của đồng bào các dân tộc ở Tây Nguyên, Hội đồng xét xử đã tuyên phạt: Y Kur BĐáp - 17 năm tù; Y Ang Knul - 11 năm tù; Y Ruih Êban - 10 năm tù; Y Yoan Hmôk - 9 năm tù; Y Mun Niê H"rah - 7 năm tù; Ksor Senát - 7 năm tù.

Các đối tượng này còn bị hình phạt bổ sung là: bị quản chế tại địa phương trong 5 năm, sau ngày mãn hạn tù.