Originally written in French, the appeal was translated by Viet Tan.
August 8, 2012
Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, 40 years old, is a land rights activist currently subjected to inhumane working and living conditions during her detention.
Despite unhealed stomach injuries, due to beatings during interrogation, she was still subjected to forced labor in prison. While in detention, she is forced to peel cashew nuts despite constant skin burns due to the phenolic resin released from the nut. She is prone to blackouts and yet she is denied medical attention despite her grave health problems and obvious demand of urgent care.
Prison authorities incarcerated her with common criminals in order to physically intimidate her. Moreover, authorities recently transferred her to prison camp K5 Khanh Long, Dong Nai province, without informing her family.
On several occasions, the Security Police attempted to force her to admit guilt in exchange for a lighter sentence. However, Ms. Thuy refused because she believes it does not conform to individual rights.
Ms. Thuy was actively implicated in the defense of people unlawfully disposed of their lands. Arrested in August 2010 with six other leaders of the Ben Tre province, she was condemned for subversion, based on Article 79 Penal Code, to 8 years imprisonment in an expedited closed door process in May 2011. In September 2011, the United Nations working group in charge of arbitrary detention ruled that the detention of Ms. Thuy and her six colleagues was arbitrary and in violation of international law.
Take Action
If you wish to intervene in favor of Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, please send the Urgent Appeal to:
Prime Minister
Fax : 00 84 4 080 48 924
Email : thongtinchinhphu@chinhphu.vn
Send a copy to the Embassy of Vietnam
Address: 62 rue Boileau – 75016 Paris
Fax : 01 45 24 39 48
Email: vnparis.fr@gmail.com
Urgent Appeal
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
16 Le Hong Phong
Quan Ba Dinh – Hanoi
VIETNAM
Dear Prime Minister,
Following information received from L’ACAT-FRANCE, I want to express my deep concern regarding the mistreatment and arbitrary detention suffered by Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, 40 years old, currently detained in camp K5 Khanh Long, Province Dong Nai.
Despite unhealed stomach injuries due to beatings during interrogation, she was still subjected to forced labor in prison. In prison she is forced to peel cashew nuts despite constant skin burns due to the phenolic resin that is released from the nut. She is prone to blackouts and yet she refuses to seek medical attention despite her grave health problems and obvious demand of urgent care. She is also forced to endure forced intimidation from prisoners due to constant instigation from prison authorities.
Moreover, authorities recently transferred her to prison camp K5 Khanh Long, Dong Nai province, without informing her family.
In the meantime, please accept, Mr. Prime Minister, my expression of respectful consideration.
Source: L’ACAT-France