September 19, 2015
My name is Tran Minh Nhat and I am from Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. I was one of 14 Catholic youth who were imprisoned in 2011 by Vietnamese authorities, sparking widespread public outcry amongst the Vietnamese Catholic community and wider international community. I was sentenced to four years in prison for “carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the government” according to Article 79 of the Penal Code. Currently, I am under house arrest. I have continued to oppose this as this was incorrect according to the appeals trial. These unlawful arrests were attempts by the Vietnamese Communist Party to oppress individuals as means of eliminating political opposition from social activists, human rights defenders and democracy activists.
Since my release from prison on August 27 2015, my family and I have been harassed, threatened and terrorised.
Some examples of abuse from Lam Dong Police include:
1. My family was not allowed to meet me at the prison on the day that I was released. A few people who visited me at home were stopped and severely beaten by thugs who had followed them from my house. According to reports, these thugs were plain-clothed police.
2. Police in Lam Ha District continue to stop and prevent parishioners and friends who try to visit me. They have tried to separate me from the outside world, causing problems by spreading rumours and restricting people’s movements, often questioning whether anyone was going to visit me. They would randomly enter my house in the early morning and evening, claiming they were required to do inspections.
3. My family and I are randomly harassed by police. They often arrive at my house unannounced and without prior notice, threatening, yelling and taking photos of my parents without their consent. Groups of police in plain clothes continue to loiter around our house and gardens. Police have several observation points including one close to my house which has at least three to four police surveilling it. Even though I have been given permission to leave my house, police have physically stopped me without reason by blocking the entrance to my house. There have been times where they have swerved towards my motorcycle as I was driving and I thought I was about to lose my life. Currently, I am not able to work for a living due to harassment from local authorities. During the meeting with the People’s Committee of Da Don Commune, I received death threats from the security chief Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Huy Thai. My parents are greatly concerned for my life if I were to leave my house due to the constant prowling around my residence.
4. Of greater concern, my family’s wedding on Friday September 18 2015 was closely monitored. Police often called up asking about why the wedding was being organised. All guests from afar were inspected and needed to have their documents verified.
I have been unable to live a normal life due to these events as those described above. Above all, these actions are abuses of civil rights. This unpredictable behaviour puts my life in danger. They are manifestations of unjust legal and security systems that suggest a strong disregard for human rights in Vietnam.
I have written this statement to ask authorities to investigate and address the recent violations and behaviour of the police. I condemn and demand the end to these actions which have threatened the safety and lives of the people including myself.
Tran Minh Nhat
Translation : Viet Tan
Source : Tran Minh Nhat’s Facebook
