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Letter to Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan from Congressman Michael M, Honda
I am relieved to hear ofyour safe return home to the United States. You took a selfless stand for your beliefs in democracy and basic human rights. Your courageous efforts to speak on behalf of the oppressed resulted in your unwarranted imprisonment by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (More...)
Royce Welcomes Return of U.S. Citizen Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan
"While the news of Dr. Quan’s release is heartening, we should not forget that hundreds more remain imprisoned under similar circumstances for their peaceful political and religious beliefs. Hanoi continues its oppression of religious freedom and human rights, just as it has been doing for decades. (More...)
Letter to Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan from Lord Mayor Chuck Reed
Dear Quan Quoc Nguyen,
Recently, I received news of your release from Vietnam and I rejoice with your family on this joyous occasion. Over the past six months while you were in prison, many have fought for your release and prayed for your well-being. (More...)
ASSEMBLYMEMBERS JONES AND TRAN WELCOME HOME VIETNAMESE DETAINEE
After a 6-month detention in a prison in Vietnam for so-called “terrorist” activity, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan is finally coming home. Assemblymembers Dave Jones (D – Sacramento) and Van Tran (R–Costa Mesa) will join Dr. Quan’s family, friends, loved ones and supporters as he sets foot on American soil for the first time in over 180 days. This Saturday, May 17th, 2008, Dr. Quan will arrive at the San Francisco International Airport, where a warm welcoming and press conference is planned immediately following his arrival at 7:20 p.m. (More...)
HONORING DR. NGUYEN QUOC QUAN
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker. I rise today to honor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, an American citizen who was arrested and detained by the Government of Vietnam on November 17. 2007 while preparing to distribute pro-democracy leaflets. Earlier loday, Dr. Nguyen and two others were convicted in a Vietnamese court under the catchall charge of "terrorism" in a trial lasting less than 6 hours. Dr. Nguyen has received a sentence of 6 months time served and will be allowed to return to the United States within 4 days. (More...)
Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister from Jack Snelling, MP
Dear Prime Minister,
I write on behalf of a number of my Australian-Vietnamese constituents who have contacted me regarding the recent arrest of some members and supporters of the Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party) in Ho Chi Minh City. (More...)
Several journalists arrested in Vietnam
The Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned by the recent spate of arrests, detentions, and trials of journalists in Vietnam. Even though Article 69 of your country’s constitution broadly protects press freedom and freedom of expression, your government has continued to use criminal and national security laws to arbitrarily stifle these essential freedoms. (More...)
Letter to Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia from Chris Bowen, MP
Dear Minister,
I write to draw your attention to the trial of political activists in Vietnam.
Members of the local community have raised their concerns over the arrest of Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan, Mr Somsak Khunmi and Mr Nguyen The Vu by Vietnamese authorities in November 2007; and their closed-door trial for ‘terrorism’. I have attached these representations made for me, for your perusal. (More...)
French member of Parliament Françoise Hostalier calls for the release of Somsak Khunmi
Immediately after Viet Tan’s notification of the trial of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, Somsak Khunmi, and Nguyen The Vu on May 13, 2008, the French Congresswoman Francoise Hostalier wrote a letter to the Thai and Vietnamese Ambassador requesting their attention to this matter, especially on the matter of Somsak Khunmi who is an associate for Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, or Journalist Thanh Thao, a French Vietnamese Citizen. (More...)
Three pro-democracy activists to be tried in Ho Chi Minh City
Reporters Without Borders appealed today for clemency in the case of three people who are due to be tried in Ho Chi Minh City on 13 May in connection with a meeting organised by the banned Viet Tan (Reform) party in the city on 17 November to discuss the promotion of democracy. No specific charges have been brought against them but the authorities have talked of “terrorism.” (More...)
Letter to Ambassador of Vietnam from Congress of the United States
Dear Ambassador Phung:
On the occasion of Vietnam Human Rights Day we are writing to express our serious concern regarding the Government of Vietnam s arrest and detention of United States citizen Nguyen Quoc Quan. Dr. Quoc Quan was arrested on November 17 2007 along with other peaceful democracy activists Somsak Khunmi and Nguyen The Vu for distributing pro-democracy literature. (More...)
Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister from Michael Keenan MP
The purpose of this letter is to make representations to you to allow international media to attend the trial in order that it can be seen by Australia and the world in general, that these people are given a fair trial, which is the right of any citizen regardless of their country of origin. (More...)
Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister from Luke Simpkins MP
On behalf of my constituents, I ask that the charges be dropped against these men. In the eventuality that the government of Vietnam proceeds with the trial, I ask that the trial be open to the scrutiny of international media. (More...)
Norwegian Member of Parliament raised questions about the trial of Nguyen The Vu
On May 8, the officials of the Norwegian Department of Foreign Affairs met with Mr Nguyen Duc Thuan, a Viet Tan member in Norway, to learn more about Nguyen The Vu’s trial on May 13 and about the Vietnamese government’s harassment of his relatives in Vietnam. During the meeting the Department of Foreign Affairs reconfirmed that Norway does not consider Viet Tan a terrorist organization. They also announced that the Norwegian embassy in Vietnam will work with other foreign embassies to monitor the upcoming trial. (More...)
Congressman Ed Royce’s Statement at the 14th Annual Commemoration of Vietnam Human Rights Day
As you all know, Dr. Quan was arrested on Nov 17, 2007 along with 5 other democracy activists for distributing pro-democracy leaflets. This peaceful dissent landed him in a Vietnamese prison. Today, Dr. Quan remains imprisoned without charges, awaiting trial. For the crime of passing out pieces of paper, the Vietnamese government will likely charge him as a "terrorist." I’d like to say again that Dr. Quan didn’t come to Vietnam armed with guns and ammo. He came armed with ideas. Evidently, the one-party government in Vietnam sees this as just as dangerous. (More...)
Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister from California Assembly members Tran Thai Van and Dave Jones
We strongly urge the immediate release of Dr. Quan and the other detainees and their return to their families and loved ones. These individuals are peaceful advocates of democracy and should not be treated and labeled as terrorists. We are deeply concerned that there has been a flagrant disregard for internationally-recognized human principles in this case. (More...)
Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister from Christopher Pyne, MP
...However, I am advised that unfortunately your Government continues to detain Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan (US citizen), Mr Nguyen The Vu (Vietenamese citizen) and Mr Somsak Khunmi (Thai citizen). I am also given to understand that these three people will be brought to trial next week on 13 May 2008. (More...)
RAFTO calls for release of democracy activists
The Rafto Foundation is writing to convey our grave concern regarding the ongoing detentions of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, Mr. Somsak Khunmi and Mr. Nguyen The Vu for peacefully expressing their political views. (More...)
Letter from Geneva and Swiss members of parliament
Following our first letter in December 2007, we would like to again express our grave concern about the latest human rights violations in Vietnam.
On November 17 and 20, 2007, Vietnamese security police arrested and detained members and supporters of Viet Tan in Saigon, an oppositional party with an objective of non-violent political change. These individuals include:
(More...)
Rep. Lofgren Introduces Resolution Calling for the Release of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced a resolution, co-sponsored by Reps. Dan Lungren (R-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl), calling for the release of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan and other political prisoners being held by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, a U.S. citizen, is being held by the Vietnamese government for speaking out against human rights violations committed by the communist government. (More...)
12 Members of Congress write to President Bush to help release Nguyen Quoc Quan
We write to express our strong concerns regarding the arrest and detainment of United States citizen, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, by the Government of Vietnam. Dr. Nguyen was arrested on November 17, 2007. (More...)
Letter from French Member of Parliament, Françoise HOSTALIER
Dear Mr. President,
In January 17, 2007, 6 people of various nationalites were arrested in HCM City, allegedly for disseminating propaganda against the State.
Some, in which Madame Nguyen Thi Thanh Van - a French citizen – was released later. I welcomed this release.
However, Mr. Somsak Khunmi, a Thai citizen is still held in detention. Mr. Khunmi is a journalist and together with others in the group participated in a news document on the people filing grievance about their land.
(More...)
Letter from 20 Norwegian Members of Parliament
Dear President Triet:
We are writing to express our serious concem regarding the Government of Vietnam’s continued crackdown on peaceful political expression. We are disappointed and disturbed by the arrests and ongoing detentions of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, Journalist Somsak Khunmi and two young Vietnamese nationals, Mr. Nguyen The Vu and Mr. Nguyen Viet Trung, for peacefully expressing their political views last November. (More...)
Boxer and Feinstein call on Vietnam to release democracy activist from California
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) today sent a letter to Prime Minister Nguyen Tang Dung of Vietnam, calling on him to release Nguyen Quoc Quan, a U.S. citizen and democracy activist from Sacramento who has been imprisoned in Vietnam since November 2007. (More...)
Letter of Support from 55 CA Assembly members
Dear President Triet:
We are writing regarding the arrest and detention of the six individuals who were peacefully promoting democracy in Vietnam on November 17, 2007. One of the detainees, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, is a United States citizen and a resident of Sacramento, California. We request the release of these individuals. (More...)
Letter to Governor Schwarzenegger from Dave Jones, Assemblymember
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
I am writing to ask for your help regarding the arrest and detention of six individuals - who were peacefully expressing pro-democracy sentiments – by the Vietnamese Government In Vietnam on November 17, 2007. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, one of the six detained on that date, is a United Slates citizen and a resident of Sacramento, California . I request your immediate assistance in asking the Government of Vietnam for his, and the other detainees’ safe return home. (More...)
Letter to Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan from Senator Lou Correa
I understand that you’ve been arrested for more than 46 days for participating in the non-violent movement for freedom, democracy and human rights in Viet Nam. I commend and admire your selflessness and commitment to this struggle. (More...)
Thai journalist jailed without charge in Vietnam
The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about the November 17 arrest and continued imprisonment of Somsak Khunmi, a long-time news assistant with the Japan- and U.S.-based Chan Troi Moi (Radio New Horizon) radio program. Article 69 of your country’s constitution broadly protects press freedom and freedom of expression. In practice, however, successive Communist Party-led administrations have applied criminal and national security laws to arbitrarily stifle these essential democratic freedoms. (More...)
Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister from Steve Georganas, MP
I have been further advised that the individuals mentioned were arrested due to their participation in peaceful discussions with other democracy activists in the promotion of democratic change. If this is indeed the reason for their detention it would appear to be a clear violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (More...)
Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister from Christopher Pyne, MP
I am given to understand that these are peaceful citizens and the reason for their arrests was simply for participating in discussions and publishing information on democratic values. These are basic rights of every human being, rights which Vietnam has acknowledged by signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (More...)
Letter to Vietnam Prime Minister from Lindsay Simmons MP
I am advised that those arrested were involved in discussions within Vietnam concerning free elections, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law. They proposed change in Vietnam through a non-violent campaign to inform and empower the Vietnamese people. (More...)
A woman of conviction and passionate dreams for true democracy
I was very impressed by Nguyen Thanh Vân’s activism and commitment to her journalist work. I could sense from her a unique blend of uncompromising determination to advocate for human rights but at the same time grace and discretion… a true strong Asian woman. It is very natural that she works as a member of Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party), an opposition party calling for the peaceful democratization of Vietnam. Its activities to promote a non-violent means to defend human rights, especially freedom of expression, need to be emphasized. (More...)
Letter of 11 United States Members of Congress to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
It has been nearly a month since the Government of Vietnam arrested peaceful democracy activists Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan and Mr. Truong Van Ba. We would like to know why these United States citizens are being held in Vietnam and when they will be returned to their families in the United States (More...)
Manuel TORNARE, Administrative Councillor City of Geneva
It is obvious that the right to assemble, to participate in discussions about democracy and to receive visit of journalists should not constitute an offence in a country which agreed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and signed the related Covenants, which is the case of Vietnam. (More...)
Mrs Julia Irwin, Member of Australian Parliament
A country which imprisons religious leaders – Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant – is a country without moral or spiritual values. A country which imprisons its critics, its dissidents and opposition political party members and supporters of Viet Tan is a country that is afraid of the truth. (More...)
US Congressman Doris O. Matsui
Dear Secretary Rice:
I respectfully urge you to investigate these cases immediately to ensure that the rights of these men are protected and that they are returned to their families as quickly as possible.
(More...)
Vietnam: Democracy Activists Should Be Released
“No one should be imprisoned for peaceful political expression of their views,” said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “Vietnam’s crackdown on dissent shows no sign of letting up. Instead, the authorities continue to arrest and imprison people for simply exercising their freedom of speech and advocating for democratic reforms.” (More...)
US Congressman Daniel E. Lungren
It is extremely disappointing to learn that the Government of Vietnam has arrested United States citizens in Vietnam for reportedly having a peaceful discussion. I wish to request that you work to return these citizens to the United States. Furthermore, it must be conveyed to the Government of Vietnam that the arbitrary detention of United States citizens is unacceptable. (More...)
Mrs Erna Solberg, Member of Norwegian Parliament
It is disappointing to see that Vietnam as a United Nation member state persistenly restricts its citizen from practicing their human rights conventions and as such should exercise their obligations under these international legal frameworks. (More...)
The Hon. Ray Halligan, Member of Western Australian Parliament
There is no justification and can never be any justification for arresting people for participating in discussion, on the values of democracy. Such action constitutes a violation of their basic human rights. As you would be aware, Vietnam is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression. (More...)
The Hon. Jack Snelling, Member of South Australian Parliament
In the face of these arrests, I call upon your government to: Immediately release the above individuals as their only activity was to peacefully express their support for the freedom and democracy. Respect the United Nations Charter of Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which your country is a signatory to. (More...)
Mr Chris Bowen, Member of Australian Parliament
I would like to express my deep concern at the detention of the pro democracy activists and ask that your government honour international covenants and immediately provide the embassies and families of the arrested their exact whereabouts and condition. (More...)
US Congressman Edward R. Royce
These individuals have only participated in discussions to promote peaceful democratic change. Their activities center on the principles of nonviolence and their detention is therefore unacceptable. (More...)
Members of US Congress: Loretta Sanchez, Zoe Lofgren & Neil Abercrombie
We are disappointed to hear that the Government of Vietnam has arrested United States citizens in Vietnam for reportedly having a peaceful discussion. Not only do we ask you to work to return these United States citizens to the United States, but we ask you convey to the Government of Vietnam that the arbitrary detention of United States citizens is unacceptable. (More...)
RSF - Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders today condemned the arrest of 3 activists in the pro-democracy party Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party), including Frenchwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, a renowned freedom of expression activist. (More...)
Senator Gary Humphries, Australia
I was told that their current situation and whereabouts, especially of Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan, are unknown since being detained. I understand that these are peaceful citizens and the reason for their arrests was simply for participating in discussions and publishing information on democratic values. These are basic rights of every human being, rights which Vietnam has acknowledged by signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (More...)
David Clarke, Member of Legislative Council, NSW, Australia
Such incidents do not contribute to a positive international image of Vietcontrary fuel concern that widespread violations of democratic and human rights persist. The release of the detained persons referred to above would, I believe, contribute to a more positive image of Vietnam in Australia and elsewhere. (More...)
Mr. Bernie Ripoll, Member of Australian Parliament
It is disappointing to see that Vietnam as a United Nation member state persistently restricts its citizens from practicing their human rights. As a UN member Vietnam is obliged to abide by international human rights conventions and as such should exercise their obligations under these international legal frameworks. (More...)
