October 20, 2010
An Australian political activist arrested in Vietnam under a law covering acts ranging from terrorism to moral intimidation, but is yet to be charged with an offence, has been given her first official consular visit since her arrest on October 10.
Vietnamese authorities have confirmed that arrested Australian citizen Hong Vo, 53, of Melbourne, received her first official consular visit on Monday.
Ms Vo is being held under Article 84 of Vietnam’s penal code, covering acts ranging from terrorism to moral intimidation.
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A day before her arrest in Ho Chi Minh City local officials say the Vietnam-born council worker had taken part in a demonstration in Hanoi, organised by a banned pro-democracy organisation Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party).
The Viet Tan, which has its headquarters in the United States but members within Vietnam and across the Vietnamese diaspora, is classified by Vietnam as a terrorist organisation.
The organisation says it uses peaceful means to push for democracy and reform.
It says three other members are being held by the government, including a Vietnam-born Frenchman.
According to Viet Tan a small group of people at the demonstration handed out fliers and unfurled a banner.
Dressed in a baby blue T-shirt and matching cap, which drew attention to Vietnam’s claims to the hotly contested Spratly Island area in the South China Sea, Ms Vo told foreign reporters she was doing nothing wrong, though left swiftly afterwards after being advised to do so by other Viet Tan members present.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been working closely with her elder son Daniel Vo, 24.
DFAT confirmed the visit and a spokesperson said she looked “well”. It confirmed she is being held under Article 84.
DFAT said via an email: “In keeping with Vietnamese law, she will be formally charged following police investigations.”
Dr Phong Nguyen, a Viet Tan spokesman who spoke via phone from Sydney, said: “We haven’t got any news if they will charge. She is still being investigated.
“This is not uncommon (for activists being held) … they are trying to prolong the investigation time as long as they can.”
This is the first mention of formal charges.
Earlier on Tuesday her son had spoken via phone from Melbourne saying he was optimistic of a release but had not heard anything official. He said he was relieved.
“They’ve come back with good news, she’s well,” said Mr Vo. “It’s been hard as for the first week we had no clue as to her well-being.”
Mr Vo says his mother, a social worker for Yarra Council, emigrated to Australia around 1982, seven years after Saigon fell and many refugees began coming to Australia as boat people.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/8163507/embassy-help-for-aust-activist-in-vietnam/
