The Hon Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Hoang Van Thu Street
Ha Noi Vietnam
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing on behalf of a number of my Australia- Vietnamese constituents who have contacted me regarding the recent arrest of some members and supporters of the Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party) in Ho Chi Minh City.
I have been advised that the following people were arrested and detained on 17 November 2007:
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. The Kiem, Vietnamese Citizen
Mr Khunmi, Somsak. Thai Citizen
I have been further advised that the individuals mentioned above were arrested due to their participation in peaceful discussions with other democracy activists in the promotion of democratic change.
If this is indeed the reason for their detention it would appear to be a clear violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The release of the detained persons referred to above would, I believe, contribute to a more positive image of Vietnam in Australia and elsewhere.
Yours sincerely,
Steve Georganas MP
Federal Member for Hindmarsh
4 January 2008