December 7, 2011
Fourteen members of the NSW Parliament have co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, expressing concern and disappointment over basic human rights abuses by the Communist-controlled Vietnamese Government.
The letter will be sent to Mr Nguyen to coincide with the International Human Rights Day on December 10.
“Many Members of the NSW Parliament have been disturbed by the way in which the Vietnamese Government has cracked down on peaceful demonstrations and on people simply expressing their views.
“Catholic priests, academics, student activists and an Australian citizen, Mrs Hong Vo, have been arrested and persecuted for organising peaceful demonstrations, blogging or speaking out against the Government – freedoms we take for granted in Australia.” Mr Barilaro said.
“The systematic arrest of 15 young Catholic and Presbyterian student activists for blogging is very disturbing.
“Mr Dang Xuan Dieu (32), Mr Ho Duc Hoa (37), Mr Nguyen Van Oai (31), Mr Chu Manh Son (22), Mr Dau Van Duong (25), Mr Tran Huu Duc (23), Mr Paulus Le Van Son (26), Mr Nong Hung Anh (23), Mr Nguyen Van Duyet (31), Mr Nguyen Xuan Anh (29), Mr Ho Van Oanh (26), Mr Thai Van Dung (23), Mr Tran Minh Nhat (23), Ms Ta Phong Tan (43) and Mr Tran Vu Anh Bình (37) are currently being detained with no family access for the crime of promoting social justice.” the Monaro MP said.
Although Vietnam is a signatory to the International Convention of Civil and Political Rights as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Vietnamese Government still allows basic human rights abuse to take place within its justice system.
“I am very pleased that 13 of my colleagues have decided to join me in signing this letter, including Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Mr Victor Dominello.”
“The issue of democracy and freedom in Vietnam is very important for the people of NSW, particularly those in the Australian-Vietnamese community, who feel very strongly about seeing positive and peaceful reform in Vietnam.” Mr Barilaro said.
The letter forms part of a broader global movement which has already seen hundreds of letters sent to the Vietnamese Government from elected representatives around the world.