October 12, 2011
Nguyen Tan Dung
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Office of the State
1 Bach Thao
Hanoi, Vietnam
Dear Prime Minister Dung,
We are writing to express our dismay and deep concern for youth activists currently held incommunicado in Vietnam. These human rights defenders, most belonging to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and hailing from the Vinh Diocese, were arrested beginning July 30, 2011.
As of now, 13 are detained: Chu Manh Son, Dang Xuan Dieu, Dau Van Duong, Ho Duc Hoa, Ho Van Oanh, Nguyen Van Duyet, Nguyen Van Oai, Nguyen Xuan Anh, Nong Hung Anh, Paulus Le Van Son, Thai Van Dung, Tran Huu Duc, and Tran Minh Nhat.
It is with great disappointment that we receive reports of their arbitrary arrests. According to human rights organizations, these young activists are noted bloggers, community organizers, and faithful parishioners. According to family sources, their detentions came without any official notification or explanation.
As crackdowns in Vietnam become more routine and police abductions become the norm, we remind you that these acts violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
We in the US Congress are also deeply troubled by ongoing violations of religious freedom in Vietnam. The continued detention of these religious activists demonstrates that Vietnam should be classified as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
We call on you to unconditionally and immediately release these young human rights defenders and return them to their families and communities.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce
Member of Congress
Daniel E. Lungren
Member of Congress
Loretta Sanchez
Member of Congress
Zoe Lofgren
Member of Congress
Gerald E. Connolly
Member of Congress
John R. Carter
Member of Congress
Susan A. Davis
Member of Congress
Christopher Smith
Member of Congress
Michael M. Honda
Member of Congress
Judy Chu
Member of Congress
