Australian Senator writes to the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding Vietnamese political prisoners

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on print
Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on print

11 December, 2009

The Hon Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Re: Human Rights in Vietnam

Dear Stephen,

I recently had the pleasure of meeting representatives from Viet Tan Australia and the Vietnamese Community in Australia to discuss the deterioration of human rights in Vietnam.

Issues covered included the arresting of Human Rights and Democracy activists including that of writer Tran Khai Thanh Thuy who was imprisoned by Vietnamese authorities in October 2009.

There have been dozens of arrests since September 2008 as part of a crackdown on peaceful dissent. This goes against Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Both groups have asked that I make representations on their behalf to the Australian Government requesting the Vietnamese government
a) allow these political prisoners the right to visitation by relatives
b) the immediate release of these prisoners

The Vietnamese Community in Australia have also proposed
a) that Australian consulate officials visit the prisoners and/or their relatives in Vietnam
b) the Human Rights Dialogue officials regularly report the Human Rights Sub-Committee
c) the temporary suspension of the Human Rights Technical Cooperation aid program

I have attached the VCA’s policy proposals for your perusal and comment.

I would appreciate being updated on the progress of Australia’s efforts towards resolving these human rights issues as well as a response to the proposals listed above.

Thank you for taking the time to look into this issue, I look forward to receiving a response soon.

Warm regards

MARK FURNER
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND

PDF - 264.9 kb

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on print

LATEST ARTICLES

Vietnam: A Half Century Of Backwardness And The Path Forward

Half a century after the war and following three decades of integration, Vietnam has seen economic growth but our overall development remains behind the advanced countries in the region. Without sustainable and comprehensive development, Vietnam is at risk of falling further behind.

Internet Freedom Campaign

Vital to Vietnam’s development, the Internet has the power to transform Vietnamese society; in many ways it already has. In the absence of an independent media, citizens have turned to the Internet to follow the news and debate national issues.

Fleeing My Homeland but Unable to Escape Repression !

My name is Nguyễn Văn Tráng, a human rights defenderwanted by the Vietnamese government. As a democracy activist in Vietnam, I spent five years living in constant fear of being hunted down. I thought that fear would subside once I fled the country. I believed I would be safe—or at least safer. But I was wrong.

Chris MacLeod pays tribute to Y Brec Bya

Y Krec has exhibited personal bravery in the face of horrific persecution. Not just against himself but against his community. He has been jailed multiple times simply for practicing his faith outside of government control.