Australian MP calls for the release of Ben Tre 7

His Excellency
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
c/o Embassy of Vietnam
6 Timbarra Crescent
O’Malley, ACT, 2606

27th of May, 2011

Dear Prime Minister Dung,

I write to express my concerns regarding the treatment of the following Vietnamese citizens who are currently under arrest awaiting trial:

1. Pastor Duong Kim Khai
2. Ms. Tran Thi Thuy
3. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam
4. Mr. Pham Van Thong
5. Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh
6. Ms. Pham Ngoc Hoa
7. Mr. Cao Van Tinh

Regardless of whether the prisoners are found innocent or guilty of any charge, their treatment is causing great concern in Australia and around the world. Many people around the world are watching the case very closely and hoping for justice.

It has been reported that the prisoners have been denied access to their lawyers and that their lawyers have been prevented from examining many key documents regarding the trial.

Full access to legal representation is regarded as a fundamental human rights and without it, any trial would be unjust. Furthermore, it’s been reported that they have gone without family visits, so we are entirely unable to gauge the physical health of the prisoners and the conditions of their imprisonment. I find this unacceptable.

I have been to Vietnam and find it one of the most beautiful countries and peoples in the world, so it saddens me to see continued efforts by the Vietnamese authorities to attack religious institutions and beliefs and silence those with differing political views.

I call on Vietnamese authorities to release all seven prisoners immediately and to treat all Vietnamese people according to international human rights laws by offering your citizens the dignity and personal autonomy that all people deserve.

Yours sincerely,

Luke Donnellan MP
State Member for Narre Warren North

Luke Donenllan Letter to Nguyen Tan Dung (in pdf)