In one of the first letters of its kind from the Australian Parliament, 14 Members of Parliament from New South Wales speaks up about human rights abuses in Vietnam, specifically addressing the unjust legal proceedings of Pham Minh Hoang and Cu Huy Ha Vu
September 19, 2011
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
No. 1, Hoang Hoa Tham Street
Ba Dinh, HA NOI
VIET NAM
Dear Prime Minister,
As Members of the New South Parliament we are committed to the principles of freedom and democracy. We are particularly committed to the freedoms of speech and association which are fundamentals of any content and prosperous society.
We have been gravely disturbed by reports regarding the arrest and recent sentencing of Professor Pham Minh Hoang on the 10th of August 2011. We have been informed that in the brief court hearing of three hours Professor Pham Minh Hoang has been handed the sentence of three years arrest and a further three years house arrest on charges of “attempting to overthrow the government.” We are led to understand that the actions of Professor Pham Minh Hoang had been exercising his right to free speech.
We strongly urge the Government of Vietnam to immediately release him and others like him that have been incarcerated for exercising basic human freedoms.
We have been equally disturbed by reports that Nguyen Van Ly has recently been re-imprisoned despite his failing health as well as the recently upheld seven-year sentence of lawyer Cu Huy Ha vu, where he was denied proper legal representation and where several person who attempted to peacefully observe the proceedings were arrested.
Vietnam is a signatory to the International Convention of Civil and Political Rights as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is concerning that these incidents may be in conflict with Vietnam’s obligation as a signatory.
We are left to feel that those convictions call into question Vietnam’s commitment to reform as well as undermining the basic principles of freedom of speech, the rule of law and human rights.
It is apparent that Vietnam is keen to gain respect on the world stage; however Vietnam will not be warmly welcomed while it continues to undermine the basic human rights of its own citizens.
Yours sincerely,
John Barilaro MP
Member for Monaro
The Hon Victor Dominello MP
Member for Ryde
Mark Coure MP
Member for Oatley
Tanra Davies MP
Member for Mulgoa
Charles Casuscelli MP
Member for Strathfield
Troy Grant MP
Member for Dubbo
The Hon Chris Hartcher MP
Member for Terrigal
Chris Holstein MP
Member for Gosford
The Hon Scot MacDonald
Member of the Legislative Council
Tim Owen MP
Member for Newcastle
The Hon Dr Peter Phelps
Member of the Legislative Council
Chris Spence MP
Member for The Entrance
Darren Webber MP
Member for Wyong
John Williams MP
Member for Murray-Darling