Hanoi, October 28, 2015
To: The United States Government
United States Department of Defence
United States Department of State
Embassy of the United States in Hanoi
We, an alliance of civil society organizations and Vietnamese political opposition groups, express our support for the United States government in sending a US navy warship to sail within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands illegally built and occupied by China in Vietnamese waters.
Sending a US navy warship to sail within the region is consistent with the freedom of navigation as enumerated in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which both Vietnam and China are signatories to.
The actions of the US government legally challenge China’s illegal territorial claims in the East Sea.
The actions of the US government are necessary in maintaining maritime and aviation security as well as peacekeeping and stability within the region of Southeast Asia and in the East Sea.
The actions of the US government are consistent with the interests of both the United States and Vietnam in the East Sea.
We welcome Congress, the US government, and its people for initiating and acting in accordance with international law to maintain security, stability and peace in the East Sea.
1/ Representatives of the Popular Council of Cao Dai Church: Sub-dignitary Hua Phi, Sub-dignitary Nguyen Kim Lan, Sub-dignitary Nguyen Bach Phung
2/ Civil Society Forum, represented by Dr. Nguyen Quang A
3/ Vietnam-US Lutheran Alliance Church, represented by Pastor Nguyen Hoang Hoa
4/ Brotherhood for Democracy, represented by Pham Van Troi
5/ Association of Bau Bi Tuong Than, represented by Nguyen Le Hung
6/ Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam, represented by Dr. Pham Chi Dung
7/ Vietnamese Women for Human Rights, represented by Huynh Thuc Vy
8/ Nguyen Kim Dien Priests group, represented by Rev. Nguyen Huu Giai
9/ Delegation of Vietnamese United Buddhists Church, represented by the Ven. Thich Khong Tanh
10/ Vietnam Human Rights Committee, represented by Nguyen Van Dai
11/ Viet Tan, represented by Pham Minh Hoang
Individuals who have also co-signed:
1/ Huynh Ngoc Chenh, Journalist
2/ Vo Van Tao, Journalist
