Administrative Councillor
City of Geneva
His Excellency the Ambassador
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Geneva, November 30, 2007
Re: Arrest of democratic activists in Vietnam
Your Excellency,
I have just learned that six people got arrested in the past few days in Ho Chi Minh City and are currently detained by the Vietnamese security police. These people – their names are quoted hereunder – are Vietnamese nationals as well as foreigners, including a French journalist who is well known and respected in Geneva, Mrs Nguyen Van. I was informed that these individuals were gathered in a private residence and were only discussing about peaceful means to promote democracy when they got arrested. I am referring to:
Dr Nguyen, Quoc Quan, American citizen;
Ms Nguyen, Thi Thanh Van, French citizen;
Mr Truong, Leon (Van Ba), American citizen;
Mr Nguyen, The Vu, Vietnamese citizen;
Mr Nguyen, Viet Trung, Vietnamese citizen;
Mr Khunmi, Somsak, Thai citizen.
It is obvious that the right to assemble, to participate in discussions about democracy and to receive visit of journalists should not constitute an offence in a country which agreed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and signed the related Covenants, which is the case of Vietnam.
Freedom of belief, of association and of press deserve the greatest respect and we would be really surprised if your Authorities would not have the heart to release, now and without condition, these individuals who were arrested without any apparent legal reason.
Considering the excellent relationships between our countries, in particular the strong friendship between Ho Chi Minh and Geneva city, I thank you in advance for forwarding my concern and the concern of the members of the Administrative Council of Geneva City to the appropriate Authorities, as well as our wish to see these activists immediately released.
Respectfully yours,
Manuel TORNARE