March 16, 2011
At 8am on March 14, 2011, members of Viet Tan participated in a peaceful demonstration for aggrieved citizens in front of the government office at 210 Vo Thi Sau Street in Saigon.
By 10am, the number of protesters had increased into the hundreds, including people from Saigon and outlying provinces, who unfurled banners decrying government corruption and illegal expropriation of property. Uniformed and plainclothes security police quickly convened and seized mobile phones and digital cameras of everyone in the area. Police turned on loudspeakers to drown out the chants of protestors and began to take people away.
Among those arrested and taken to the local police station in District 6, Saigon, were three Viet Tan members who are US passport holders: Ms. Jennifer Truong, Mr. Nguyen Ly Trong and Mr. Nguyen Quang Khanh.
Viet Tan affirms that:
- Peaceful assembly is a basic right guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which the Socialistic Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.
- The participation of Viet Tan members in a rally for social justice is not only a right but also a responsibility among compatriots.
- Our members will continue to stand in solidarity with all the people of Vietnam in the struggle for justice and human rights.
Viet Tan is closely monitoring developments and will work for the release of all who have been detained.
Contact: Duy Hoang +1.202.470.0845