February 10, 2012
In one of the largest crackdowns to date, human rights defenders are being rounded up and arbitrarily detained in Vietnam. All are all unified by the message of social justice and human rights and took a stand for social justice.
These brave individuals include social activists belonging to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Dong Chua Cuu The) and the Presbyterian Church: 17 in all arrested since July 2011. Bui Thi Minh Hang and Viet Khang are two other prominent activists whose arrest must not go unnoticed.
As is commonplace now for the regime, most if not all were arrested without a warrant, have limited access to legal representation, and until only recently were finally allowed family visitations.
The nature of their arrests and treatment while in detention suggests an escalation of crackdowns that targets human rights defenders by the Vietnamese government.
Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) took to the House Floor on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 to advocate for the release of Viet Khang and Paulus Le Son: “It is time for the government of Vietnam to respect the freedom of expression through the arts, stop these arbitrary arrests, and recognize the basic human rights of the individual.”
YOU, TOO, CAN TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW IN 2 EASY STEPS:
1/ Tell your Member of Congress to support H. Res 484, which calls the Hanoi regime to repeal national security laws used to suppress dissent. This legislation specifically targets Articles 79 & 88, vague laws used to arrest scores of bloggers, dissidents, and community organizers.
2/ Write to President Obama. Your voice is needed to ensure the administration speaks up for these arbitrarily detained individuals. Please note that you must create an account and be a US resident to sign this petition.
Read the text of House Resolution 484
Watch Rep. Loretta Sanchez’s speech to the House Floor on February 1, 2011
