<![CDATA[Rallying For Democracy]]> MemHT Portal <![CDATA[Dr. Que Road Map to Democracy in Vietnam]]> The Vietnamese government strictly controls every aspect of life by force and abuses the rule of law. It is ready to repress any demand for human rights. The Vietnamese people are deprived of all of basic rights such as freedom of information, freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of religion … which are vital to democratization and development of Vietnam.]]> <![CDATA[Who is Dr. Nguyen Dan Que?]]>
Dr. Nguyen Dan Que

1942 Born in Hanoi, Vietnam.]]> <![CDATA[Tolerance]]> Tolerance is respect and acceptance of the rich diversity of the world’s cultures, forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty; it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance is the virtue that makes peace possible. It contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace.]]> <![CDATA[Self-Determination]]> Essentially, the right to self-determination is the right of a people to determine its own destiny. In particular, the principle allows a people to choose its own political status and to determine its own form of economic, cultural and social development. Exercise of this right can result in a variety of different outcomes ranging from political independence through to full integration within a state. The importance lies in the right of choice, so that the outcome of a people’s choice should not affect the existence of the right to make a choice. In practice, however, the possible outcome of an exercise of self-determination will often determine the attitude of governments towards the actual claim by a people or nation. Thus, while claims to cultural autonomy may be more readily recognized by states, claims to independence are more likely to be rejected by them. Nevertheless, the right to self-determination is recognized in international law as a right of process (not of outcome) belonging to peoples and not to states or governments.]]> <![CDATA[What is Non-Violent?]]> Nonviolence is an ideology that rejects the use of violent action in a conflict over power to attain social and political objectives.
 
The term nonviolence is complex and has varied meanings, among which it is important to draw distinctions. In general, the term has been interpreted as in the negative - an absence of violence. However, nonviolence, both in theory and practice can and should be viewed as a positive, an active and potent force for attaining certain goals.
]]> <![CDATA[What is Human Rights?]]> Human rights are international moral and legal norms that aspire to protect all people everywhere from severe political, legal, and social abuses.
 
Human rights are minimum standards of legal, civil and political freedom that are granted universally. These rights take precedence over other claims by individuals, groups or states. Human rights refer to the perception that humans, no matter what ethnicity, nationality or legal influence, have universal rights. These rights usually include the right to life, freedom from torture, freedom of movement, the right to an adequate standard of living, freedom of religion, the right to self-determination, the right to participation in cultural and political life and the right to education. Many international as well as national laws safeguard the human rights of its inhabitants, although these laws and their implementations vary.
]]> <![CDATA[What is Democracy?]]> Democracy is a system of political governance whose decision-making power is subject to the controlling influence of citizens who are considered political equals. A democratic political system is inclusive, participatory, representative, accountable, transparent and responsive to citizens aspirations and expectations. Fundamentally, it means a government of, by and for the people.

Democracy is a principle whereby people in a country freely elect representatives who make laws and govern with popular support. A democratic government also implies that the people can change a government if they are dissatisfied with it, which means that power is derived from the consent of the majority and that government acts according to the will of the majority.]]>