September 8, 2011
MEDIA RELEASE
SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN VIETNAM
Member for Monaro John Barilaro has written to his NSW Parliamentary Colleagues encouraging them to co-sign a letter to the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, expressing disappointment in basic human rights abuses by the Vietnamese Government.
“I have been troubled by the way in which the Vietnamese Government has cracked down on peaceful demonstration, including the arrest of Australian Mrs Hong Vo last year.” Mr Barilaro said.
Although Vietnam is a signatory to the International Convention of Civil and Political Rights as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Vietnam still allows basic human rights abuse to take place within its justice system.
Human rights campaigner Professor Pham Minh Hoang was arrested in August and after a three hour court appearance was sentenced to three years in prison and a further three years house arrest on charges of ’attempting to overthrow the government’.
“I have called on my colleagues to join with me in sending a message to the Vietnamese Government.”
“I have already had an overwhelming response from colleagues who are keen to send a message that the oppression of basic freedoms is not acceptable.”
“The issue of democracy and freedom in Vietnam is an important for the people of NSW, particularly the many Vietnamese-Australians across this State, who feel very strongly about seeing reform in their ancestral homeland.” Mr Barilaro said.
The letter, to be signed next week, will form part of a broader global effort which has already seen hundreds of letters sent to the Vietnamese Government from elected representatives around the world.
MEDIA: Henry Pike 0408406637