12 May 2010
The Hon Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Minister,
We write to you on behalf of Viet Tan supporters who recently met with us concerning the situation of four Vietnamese activists.
Viet Tan is a global organisation which is working to establish a sustainable democracy in Vietnam and ensure justice for Vietnamese political activists.
We are advised by Viet Tan that Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, Pham Thanh Nghien, Le Thi Cong Nhan, and Father Thaddeus Nguyen Van Ly have been imprisoned by the Vietnamese Government for crimes against the state relating to their political and religious views.
Tran Khai Thanh Thuy is appealing her prison sentence and was due to appear in a Hanoi appels court on April 16.
Viet Tan supporters are concerned for the welfare of these prisoners and believe they have been unjustly imprisoned for peacefully expressing their political and religious views.
We ask that you make urgent representation to the Vietnamese Governement asking that the persecution of individuals in peaceful political expression cease.
Given the serious nature of the situation, we would appreciate the Australian Government considering this matter urgently.
Yours sincerely,
Jason Clare MP
MEMBER FOR BLAXBAND
Chris Hayes MP
MEMBER FOR WERRIWA