May 28, 2015
Viet Tan has partnered with the Canadian law Firm Cambridge LLP and is launching an advocacy campaign for Vietnamese activists serving long prison sentences. The first phase of this campaign consists of a hearing at the Canadian parliament, luncheon with parliamentarians hosted by MP Judy Sgro, and meetings with both elected officials and NGOs in Canada.
The campaign will kickoff with a hearing today at the Subcommittee on International Human Rights featuring two witnesses who have travelled from Vietnam: Pastor Nguyen Manh Hung of the Vietnam Interfaith Council and former political prisoner Truong Minh Tam. Also testifying is Trinh Nguyen, Viet Tan’s digital advocacy director.
The witnesses will bring attention to the mistreatment of political prisoners in Vietnam and the cases of individuals serving long prison sentences for their peaceful expression and political advocacy including citizen journalists / activists Ho Duc Hoa, Dang Xuan Dieu, Nguyen Dang Minh Man, Ta Phong Tan, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Ngo Hao, Tran Thi Thuy, Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung and Nguyen Cong Chinh.
Truong Minh Tam, who will testify today, was previously imprisoned with well known social activist Dang Xuan Dieu and is a first-hand witness to Dieu’s brutal treatment in prison. Canadian law firm Cambridge LLP serves as legal counsel for Dieu along with two other Vietnamese political prisoners: Ho Duc Hoa (13 year sentence) and Nguyen Dang Minh Man (8 year sentence).
For more information on the hearing: http://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/parlvu/Con…
Contact:
Dan Hoang: +1 (202) 256 7951
Chris MacLeod, Partner Cambridge LLP: +1 (416) 477 7007 ext. 303
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