At the forum, “Law students, who are you going to be?,” recently organized by students from HCMC Law University, participants analyzed the objectives and driving force behind Le Cong Dinh, a lawyer who was arrested on June 13 for allegedly “conducting propaganda against the State of the Social Republic of Vietnam.”

Students from HCMC Law University take part in the forum

Vo Trung Tin, secretary of the University’s Communist Youth Union, on behalf of the university’s students, said that they have been shocked by the scandal.

They did not understand why Le Cong Dinh, a former student of the school and a well-known lawyer of the city, acted against the country’s laws.

The majority of students, according to Tin, said that Dinh’s acts against the country were unacceptable.

As a smart lawyer, instead of making use of his talent, knowledge and professional skills to serve the people and the country, Dinh became an instrument of many exiled reactionary organizations. They are united in opposition to the State, added Tin.

Nguyen Thanh An, deputy secretary of Communist Youth Union, said that it is necessary to find out the driving force behind Dinh’s acts.

To many students, it is Dinh’s personal economic and political benefits that are the driving forces.

Ngoc Ha, a sophomore, pointed out that Dinh alone could not have carried out such an affair. There must be organizations behind Dinh that provided him with money and necessary means so that he could set up political parties.

The objectives of such parties were, said Ha, to attract the participation of as many people as possible. As soon as they could make a reputation for themselves, they would mobilize forces to overthrow the State.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, a senior, said that, Le Cong Dinh had made use of his skills, even taking advantage of his career.

Dinh has betrayed his own country and people just for the sake of his own benefit, added she.

Overthrowing the country’s regime: It is just an illusion

The main theme of the forum was to discuss students’ views on “Promoting the people’s democratic rights; Making contributions to the development of the country.”

Thuy Trinh, a sophomore, said, “Over the past few years, the State has encouraged people, from all walks of life, to contribute opinions to the Government to help it with the tasks of building Vietnam into a wealthy and prosperous country.”

Trinh added, “No one can deny that there are still problems related people’s standards of living, bureaucracy and social injustice…, but we should contribute our opinions in a cooperative spirit, solidarity and within the framework of the country’s laws. No one wishes to make a change to the country in such a way as Dinh had pursued.”

Trinh pointed out that “Dinh’s endeavor to overthrow the current regime is just an illusion.”

“The Communist Party has led the country to the glorious victory of the national revolution and, at present, has an important position in the people’s social life and economic reform in Vietnam, and there is no reason to replace the current party with another,” she said.

For many students, Dinh’s violation of the country’s law offered them clearer insights into their prospective careers, as well as adding experience to their professional skills.

Hoang Tien Dung, senior student, said, “As lawyers, we must master the law and have a firm grasp, so that we won’t be easily seduced by money, power and position.

“The exiled reactionary organizations always wish to induce intellectual circles to their activities, if we aren’t vigilant over the enemy’s sabotage schemes and don’t have appropriate political views, we will become other Le Cong Dinhs, who will be ready to go against the people’s interests,” he added.

Dung proposed that the media should keep the public informed about the developments of the scandal, so that they can see things as they really are and will be aware of the reactionaries’ views and actions.

Dung also suggested the city’s Communist Youth Union organize further forums for young people, through which they can listen, understand and question the basis of those who share the same views expressed by Le Cong Dinh.