Jack Snelling
Member for Playford
Just of the Peace
The Hon. Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Hoang Van Thu Street
Ha Noi Viet Nam
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Dear Prime Minister
I write on behalf of a number of my Australian-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 believe 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 Leong (Van Ba), American citizen
• Mr Nguyen The Vu, Vietnamese citizen
• Nguyen, The Kiem, Vietnamese citizen
• Mr Khunmi Somsak, Thai citizen.
Prior to their arrest, I believe these individuals had participated in discussions with other activists on promoting peaceful democratic change. They planned to promote a non-violent campaign to inform and empower the Vietnamese people.
In the face of these arrests, I call upon your government to:
• Immediately release the above individuals as their only activity was to peacefully express their support for the freedom and democracy.
• Respect the United Nations Charter of Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which your country is a signatory to.
I believe if the above requests are acted upon, this would lead to a positive image of Vietnam in Australia and elsewhere.
Yours sincerely
Jack Snelling MP
Member of Playford