Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister on arrest of members and supporters of Viet Tan from Sen. Gary Humphries

November 20, 2007

The Hon. Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
2 Hoang Van Thu Street
Hanoi, Vietnam

Dear Prime Minister,

Re: Recent arrests of peaceful democracy activists in Vietnam

I have just being made aware by my constituents of the recent arrests of members and supporters of Viet Tan in Vietnam. These include Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan, Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, Mr Truong Van Ba, Mr Nguyen The Vu and his younger brother Mr Nguyen The Khiem and Mr Khunmi Somsak.

I was told that their current situation and whereabouts, especially of Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan, are unknown since being detained. I understand that these are peaceful citizens and the reason for their arrests was simply for participating in discussions and publishing information on democratic values. These are basic rights of every human being, rights which Vietnam has acknowledged by signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I am deeply concerned about the status of these individuals and call upon you, Prime Minister, to release these peaceful activists lest it portray Vietnam to the international community as a haven of oppression and intolerance.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister on arrest of members and supporters of Viet Tan from Sen. Gary Humphries