12 October 2009
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Hoang Van Thu Street
Ha Noi
VietNam
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing this letter to respectfully express my grave concern regardingthe recent trial of nine pro-democracy activists, including writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, university student Ngo Quynh, former communist party member Nguyen Manh Son, essayist Nguyen Van Tin, land rights activist NguyenVan Tuc, electrician Nguyen Kim Nhan, high school teacher Vu Hung, poet Tran Duc Thach and engineer Pham Van Troi.
They were charged with “propaganda against the socialist state”, but in fact all they did was to exercise their human rights by posting articles voicing their concern regarding the government’s handling of sovereignty disputes and advocate human rights and democracy.
Vietnam is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where freedom of expression is a fundamental right that all member States must pledge to respect.
As Vietnam is about to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council, it should demonstrate to the international community that it can maintain international standards by ceasing all persecutions against citizens for peaceful political expression and to respect basic human rights.
I urge you to consider Vietnam’s position and to release all peaceful democracya ctivists.
Yours sincerely,
The Hon. David Clarke MLC
Member of the NSW Legislative Council
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the N.S.W.
Shadow Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.