Australian MP Bernie Ripoll calls for the release of three human rights activists

H.E. Mr. Trương Tấn Sang
President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
02 Hung Vuong street, Ba Dinh district
Ha Noi – Viet Nam

Dear President,

I write to you in relation to Pham Minh Vu, Le Thi Phuong Anh and Do Nam Trung whom are currently incarcerated at Dong Nai Prison for allegedly “Causing public disorder” since the 15.05.14.

I, like the family and friends of these prisoners, would like to see that they are immediate released on the grounds that the arrents were against the law for the following reasons:

1. The place where these 3 were travelling on, is not a region with any curfew or any sign forbidding taking photographs, because it is a civilian area.

2. Le Thi Phuong Anh and two of her friends never disrupted any public order or incited violent protests. She came from Quang Tri to Saigon on 14.05.14, and left Saigon for Dong Nai at around 8:15am on 15.05.14. This is the first time all these three came to Dong Nai; they are not familiar with roads, things, or had any connection with the workers here to “rouse” or “incite” them.

Thus, through this letter, I respectfully suggest that Public Security Minister Tran Dai Quang Order the Dong Nai Public Security Department to free immediately and unconditionally Le Thi Phuong Anh and her two friends.

I also urge you to honour your commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Politics Rights, of which Vietnam is a signatory.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Bernie Ripoll MP
Federal Member for Oxley
Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation
Shadow Minister for Sport
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Small Business

Bernie Ripoll’s letter to Vietnamese authorities (pdf)