Open Letter
of patriotic Vietnamese and defend the country
Dear:
Elected representatives of free countries
International human rights organizations
Vietnamese and international media
Vietnamese compatriots inside Vietnam and overseas
The Chinese government’s decision to establish the city of San Sa on December 2, 2007 to govern the Paracel and Spratly islands has awakened the intense patriotism of the Vietnamese people. Despite the Vietnamese communist government’s suppressive efforts, on December 9, 2007, hundreds of determined youth, students, and ordinary people took to the streets of Saigon and Hanoi to protest with banners such as “Return the Paracels and Spratlys to Vietnam”, “China, respect Vietnam, follow international laws”, “Don’t disrespect the People of Vietnam”…
Not only did Hanoi not follow the wish of the people and protect the nation’s territories, but they have mercilessly cracked down, arrested, and jailed those who have bravely voiced their patriotism. They have harshly suppressed every demonstration in the following week and beyond and they have imprisoned all those who have raised their voice opposing China’s encroachment. Many people were brutally beaten and arrested on April 29, 2008, the day the Beijing Olympic Torch arrived in Vietnam.
A bright example of this group is Ms. Pham Thanh Nghien, university student Ngo Quynh, writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, aggrieved citizen Nguyen Van Tuc, teacher Vu Hung, poet Tran Duc Thach, engineer Pham Van Troi, Mr. Nguyen Kim Nhan….all of these people were arrested this past September and their families have not yet been given a chance to see them during the past three months. Outside of this incident, journalist Dieu Cay (Nguyen Van Hai) was also sentenced to 30 months in prison in early September 2008.
We warmly praise the spirit of patriotism and the bravery of those who are facing arrest and imprisonment above.
We collectively denounce the Vietnamese communist government’s actions and the violations of human rights to the international community.
Dear all,
On the occasion commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we sincerely hope that our fellow Vietnamese compatriots from around the world advocate public officials of free countries and international human rights organizations to pressure the Vietnamese communist government to respect the rights to speech and to assembly of the Vietnamese people.
These are the issues that European Union countries have warned the government of Vietnam through the Resolution adopted October 22, 2008. Through this resolution, the European Parliament has requested the Vietnamese regime to abolish laws that aim at sentencing opposition figures or religious activities based on the vague concept of “national security” in order to thwart those who are exercising their basic rights regarding freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of religion.
Now that Vietnam, beginning in 2008, is one of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, it cannot carry out acts that grossly violate the human rights and security of the Vietnamese people as currently happens.
We urgently request Vietnamese compatriots from all over the world to send letters asking elected officials to strongly intervene on the humanitarian ground and demand equality under the laws like they have done for us before. Your voices will demonstrate the concern and support of the Vietnamese community for those who are determined and actively participating in the struggle to achieve freedom and democracy for the people of Vietnam.
December 10, 2008
Undersigned
People who have been arrested or imprisoned by the Vietnamese communist government for demanding freedom and democracy
Names of those who have signed the Open Letter:
1. Father Chan Tin
2. Duong Thi Xuan
3. Duong Van Nam
4. Do Nam Hai
5. Hoang Tien
6. Hoang Trung Kien
7. Kim van Duy
8. Le Quoc Quan
9. Le Thanh Tung
10. Lu Thi Thu Duyen
11. Nguyen Cong Bang
12. Pastor Nguyễn Hồng Quang
13. Father Nguyen Huu Giai
14. Nguyen Khac Toan
15. Nguyen Quoc Hai
16. Nguyen Quoc Quan
17. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van
18. Nguyen Vu Binh
19. Pham My Pho
20. Pham Que Duong
21. Father Phan Van Loi
22. Venerable Thich Thien Minh
23. Tran Anh Kim
24. Tran Khai Thanh Thuy
25. Tran Khue
26. Truong Van Ba
27. Vu Thanh Phuong
