Letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon from Chris Charlton, MP, regarding Vietnamese prisoners

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on print
Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on print

December 2, 2009

Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa,ON
K1AOA6

Dear Minister,

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with members of the Vietnamese Canadian community, who raised the deeply disturbing conviction of nine democracy activists in Vietnam.

In particular, they raised the subsequent arrest of Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, who was beaten and arrested after she publicly expressed her support for the nine activists.. Mr. Minister, no individual should be beaten, arrested, or jailed for exercising their right of freedom of speech.

The US Embassy in Hanoi issued a press release on October 14, 2009, urging the Government of Vietnam “to honor its international human rights commitments.-And immediately and unconditionally release these and other prisoners who are in detention for peacefully expressing their views.”

Members of the US Congress, English PEN, an Australian Senator and many others have added their voices to this campaign. Unfortunately, to date, the Canadian government has been silent.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I would ask you to add Canada’s voice to the call by urging the Government of Vietnam to respect the standards of human rights and the rule of law. As Martin Luther King Ir. would remind us:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.

Thank you for giving this matter your urgent personal attention.

Sincerely,

Chris Charlton, MP
Hamilton Mountain

PDF - 46.5 kb

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on print

LATEST ARTICLES

Vietnam: A Half Century Of Backwardness And The Path Forward

Half a century after the war and following three decades of integration, Vietnam has seen economic growth but our overall development remains behind the advanced countries in the region. Without sustainable and comprehensive development, Vietnam is at risk of falling further behind.

Internet Freedom Campaign

Vital to Vietnam’s development, the Internet has the power to transform Vietnamese society; in many ways it already has. In the absence of an independent media, citizens have turned to the Internet to follow the news and debate national issues.

Fleeing My Homeland but Unable to Escape Repression !

My name is Nguyễn Văn Tráng, a human rights defenderwanted by the Vietnamese government. As a democracy activist in Vietnam, I spent five years living in constant fear of being hunted down. I thought that fear would subside once I fled the country. I believed I would be safe—or at least safer. But I was wrong.

Chris MacLeod pays tribute to Y Brec Bya

Y Krec has exhibited personal bravery in the face of horrific persecution. Not just against himself but against his community. He has been jailed multiple times simply for practicing his faith outside of government control.