The Right Honourable Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Office of the Prime Minister
Hoang Van Thu, Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
21 November 2007
“Detention of Democracy Activists”
Dear Mr Prime Minister,
I write to you regarding the recent detention of Dr. Nguyen, Quoc Quan, Ms. Nguyen, Thi Thanh Van, Mr. Truong, Leon (Van Ba), Mr. Nguyen, The Vu, Mr. Nguyen, The Khiem and Mr. Khunmi, Somsak, advocates of democracy and human rights in Vietnam.
I would like to express my deep concern at the detention of the pro democracy activists and ask that your government honour international covenants and immediately provide the embassies and families of the arrested their exact whereabouts and condition.
By releasing the detainees, Vietnam has an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that it is a developed country with the potential for greater things by pledging to ensure human rights and democracy.
I once again ask for your assurance that these individuals will be released and that they will not be deprived of their human rights.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Bowen MP
Federal Member for Prospect
Shadow Assistant Treasurer
Shadow Minister for Revenue and Competition Policy