December 10, 2007

His Excellency
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
c/o Embassy of Vietnam
1233 20th Street, NW #400
Washington, DC 20036

Dear Prime Minister Dung:

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, we are writting to express our serious concerns regarding the Government of Vietnam’s arrests and ongoing detentions of two United States citizens, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan and Mr. Truong Van Ba (Leon).

As you know, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan and Mr. Truong Van Ba were arrested on November 17, 2007, along with four other peaceful democracy activists. The arrest of this group comes just over a year since the Government of Vietnam arrested another Unites States citizen, Mr. Cong Thanh Do, on August 14, 2006. Mr. Do was held on unlawful charges in Vietnam until United States Government intervention returned him to his family in the United States.

Before being granted Permanent Normal Trade Relations and ascension into the World Trade Organization in January of 2007, the Government of Vietnam claimed that it had improved its human rights record, and would continue to make progress on the issue of human rights. The Government of Vietnam has also made similar assurances to the world community as it prepares the become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in January 2008.

The arrests of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan, Mr. Truong Van Ba, and Mr. Cong Thanh Do violate the Government of Vietnam’s promise to continue to improve its human rights record. This promise has been further undercut with the Government of Vietnam’s arrest and detention of Mr. Le Quoc Quan on March 8, 2007, upon his return to Vietnam after serving as a fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, D.C. In addition the physical gagging of Father Nguyen Van Ly so he could not speak at his own trial on March 30, 2007, is another example of the Government of Vietnam’s blatant disregard for human rights.

We would like to hear from you directly regarding these arrests and the actions at the trial of Father Nguyen Van Ly. 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.

Sincerely,

Members of Congress
Loretta Sanchez
Zoe Lofgren
Neil Abercrombie
Madelaine Z. Bordallo
Michael M. Honda
Dan Burton
Thaddeus G. McCotter
Michael R. McNulty
Janice D. Schakowsky
Christopher H. Smith
Doris O. Matsui

Letter of 11 US Members of Congress to PM Nguyen Tan Dung