March 24, 2011
Jennifer Truong was released today, following 10 days of detention by the Vietnamese communist authorities. She was detained on March 14, following a peaceful demonstration in Saigon against government corruption. Prior to her detention, she reported on the protest in interviews with international media. She will soon return home to a 17 year daughter in Fountain Valley, California.
Jennifer Truong was arrested with two other Viet Tan members – Mr. Nguyen Ly Trong of California and Nguyen Quang Khanh of Colorado, both released on March 21st and 23rd, respectively. All three, American citizens of Vietnamese descent, stood in solidarity with aggrieved land owners and farmers, even as security police arrived to harass and take people away.
The Hanoi government routinely arrests those who campaign for the cause of social justice and development of Vietnam, while ignoring the suffering of many. The regime refuses to address the countless grievances of those affected by land confiscation, a policy that has roots in the endemic corruption that permeates the state and party apparatus.
Today, even with the release of these three activists, other Viet Tan members are still imprisoned for advocating for aggrieved citizens:
- Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, 40 years old, is a land-rights activist from Dong Thap. Arrested on August 10, 2010, she is a long-time community organizer, both for her family and for other victimized people in Ben Tre.
- Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, 58 years old, is a land-rights activist from Ben Tre. Arrested on July 18, 2010, he actively campaigned for 20 years for aggrieved farmers.
- Pastor Duong Kim Khai, 53 years old, is a leader in the “Cattle Cage” congregation of the Mennonite Church. Pastor Khai has dedicated his life to helping victims of injustice from all faiths in Ben Tre and Dong Thap. He was arrested on August 10, 2010.
All three are held at the Binh Phu detention center in Ben Tre province. Also detained there are three other land rights activists: Pham Ngoc Hoa, Nguyen Chi Thanh, and Pham Van Thong. Up until now, all have been denied visits from their family or access to legal representation.
For years, Viet Tan has stood with victims of government corruption, supporting those demanding social justice. We are dedicated to the promotion of freedom of assembly and will continue to campaign for the release of all who have been arbitrarily detained in Vietnam.
Contact:
Duy Hoang
+1.202.470.0845
