Amnesty International Calls for Release of Prisoners of Conscience

 

  

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT

Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW, United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)20 7413 5500        F: +44 (0)20 7956 1157

E: amnestyis@amnesty.org    W: www.amnesty.org 

 

 

His Excellency Trn Đi Quang

President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Presidential Palace

Ha Noi Viet Nam

 

09 September 2016 

 

Your Excellency,

 

Amnesty International has noted that the amnesty marking Viet Nam’s 71st National Day on 02 September 2016 resulted in the early release of more than 2,000 prisoners, as well as reductions in prison sentences of some 22,600 people. It is regrettable that none of the individuals identified by Amnesty International as prisoners of conscience appear to have been included.

 

A prisoner of conscience is a person imprisoned or otherwise physically restricted because of political, religious or other conscientiously-held beliefs, ethnic origin, sex, colour, language, national or social origin, economic status, birth, sexual orientation or other status who has not used or advocated violence or hatred.

 

Amnesty International has documented at least 82 prisoners of conscience in Viet Nam today. They include bloggers, labour and land rights activists, political activists, ethnic and religious minorities, and advocates for human rights and social justice. The names of these individuals are listed below.

 

As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Viet Nam has the duty to respect and protect the rights set out in this core human rights treaty. Instead the individuals named below have done nothing more than peacefully exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Many are held in harsh conditions, are in poor health and have been subjected to abusive treatment in detention. I urge your government to comply with international human rights law and release immediately and unconditionally all prisoners of conscience.

 

Finally, I urge the Viet Nam government to ensure that peaceful activists, human rights defenders, journalists and other individuals are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals, harassment, intimidation, arrest, prosecution and imprisonment, in compliance with Viet Nam’s obligations under the ICCPR and other international human rights law and standards, including the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

 

I would welcome any comments or information with regard to this request. I am sending copies of this letter to Prime Minister Nguyn Xuân Pc and Minister of Public Security To Lam. A copy will be made public on Amnesty International’s website.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Salil Shetty Secretary General

 

 

Amnesty International: List of 82 Prisoners of Conscience

 

This list is not exhaustive, but rather illustrates the extent of the detention of prisoners of conscience in Viet Nam.

 

n   A Hyum also known as Kôl, an ethnic Montagnard Christian from Kon Tum province, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in May 2013.

n   A ch also known as Hlô is an ethnic Montagnard Christian from Kon Tum province, sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment in May 2013.

n   Amlinh also known as Blưng is an ethnic Montagnard Christian from, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in September 2009 and believed to be held in Gia Lai prison camp.

n   Bùi Th Minh Hng, a land rights and religious activist arrested in Đng Tháp province, sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in August 2014.

n   Bùi n Trung, a Hoa Hao Buddhist from An Giang province, sentenced to four years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Byưk is an ethnic Montagnard and religious rights activist, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in May 2013 by the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Court.

n   Cn Th Thêu is a well-known land rights activist from Hòa Bình province, arrested in June 2016.

n   Chi is an ethnic Montagnard Christian and religious activist, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in November 2013 and believed to be held in Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Đng Xuân Diu, an engineer, blogger and social activist from Vinh City in Ngh An province, sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Đinh Nguyên Kha, a student and computer technician from Tân An in Long An province, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in May 2013, reduced to four years on appeal in August 2013.

n   Đ Th Hng, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Đoàn Đình Nam, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment.

n   Đoàn Huy Chương, a labour organizer and founding member of the United Workers-Farmers Organization arrested in Trà Vinh province, sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in October 2010.

n   Đoàn n Cư, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   H Đc Hòa, a journalist, community organizer and company director from Vinh City, Ngh An province, sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Jơnh also known as Chình is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment by Gia Lai Provincial People’s Court in May 2013.

n   Kpă Sinh is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in 2011 April and is held in Gia Lai prison camp.

n   Kpuil L is an ethnic Montagnard Christian sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in June 2012 and held in Gia Lai prison camp.

n   Kpuil Mel is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in June 2012 and held in Gia Lai prison camp.

n   Đc Đng, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Duy Lc, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Thanh Tùng is a former prison of conscience, journalist and member of the internet based pro- democracy Bloc 8406 movement who was arrested around 14 or 15 December 2015 and is believed to be held in Thái Bình province.

n   Thu Hà is the secretary of the Brotherhood of Democracy Association who was arrested on 16 December 20105 and is believed to be held B14 prison in Hà Ni.

n   Trng Cư, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Xuân Phúc, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Lương Nht Quang, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Ngô Hào, a former army officer and blogger on injustice, sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by Phú n Provincial People’s Court in September 2013.

n   Ngô Th Minh Ước is a land rights activist from Tin Giang province sentenced to four years’ imprisonment in March 2016.

n   Nguyn Công Chính, a Mennonite pastor from Pleiku in Gia Lai province, sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment in March 2012.

n   Nguyn Đng Minh Mn, a social activist and freelance worker from Vinh City in Ngh An province, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Nguyn Dinh, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Nguyn Đình Ngc also known as Nguyn Ngc Già is a blogger who advocates freedom of expression who was sentenced to four years imprisonment in March 2016 and is held in an unknown location.

n   Nguyn Hoàng Quc Hùng, a labour organizer and member of a petitioners’ movement “Victims of Injustice arrested in Trà Vinh province, sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in October 2010.

n   Nguyn Hu Vinh also known as Anh Ba Sàm co-founder of the popular Ba Sàm blog who was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in March 2016 and is being held in an unknown location.

n   Nguyn Kim Nhàn, a land protest leader in Bc Giang province, sentenced to five and a half years’ imprisonment in July 2012.

n   Nguyn Lc, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Nguyn Ngc Cường, a land rights activist from Đng Nai province, sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in October 2011.

n   Nguyn Thái Bình, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Nguyn Th Hai is a land rights activist from Tây Ninh province, sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in March 2016 and held in an unknown location.

n   Nguyn Th Minh Thúy is the assistant of blogger Nguyn Hu Vinh, sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in March 2016 and held in an unknown location.

n   Nguyn Th Trí is a land rights activist from Bình Dương province, sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in March 2016 by H Chí Minh City People’s Court and held in an unknown location.

n   Nguyn Văn Đài is a human rights lawyer and former prison of conscience arrested in December 2015 and held in B14 prison in Ni.

n   Nhi also known as Bă Tiêm is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in September 2009 and last reported to be held in Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Nơh is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in September 2009 and reportedly detained in Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Phm Th Phượng is a former member of the banned Viet Nam Populist Party ng Vì Dân Vit Nam), and an army officer under the former regime of South Viet Nam, sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment in April 2010 and reportedly held at Z30A prison camp, Xuân Lc, Đng Nai province.

n   Phm n Thông, a farmer and land rights activist sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in May 2011 and reportedly held at Prison Z30A, Section No. 2, in Xuân Lc District, Đng Nai province.

n   Phan Thanh Tường, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Phan Thanh Ý, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Phan n Thu, leader of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Phùng Lâm is a pro-democracy activist and member of the banned Democratic Party of Vietnam ng n ch Vit Nam), sentenced to seven years’ in January 2011 and reportedly held in Bình Phước provincial prison.

n   Pinh is an ethnic Montagnard Christian sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in September 2009 and reportedly held in Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Rah Lan Blom is an ethnic Montagnard Christian from Gia Lai province, sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in April 2011.

n   Rah Lan Mlih is an ethnic Montagnard Christian from Gia Lai province, sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in April 2011.

n   Rmah Hlach also known as Ama Suit is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, arrested in July 2009 and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, last reported held at Ba Sao prison campaign, Hà Nam in Nam Hà province.

n   Rơ Lan also known as Ama Suit is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in July 2009 and reportedly held in Gia Lai prison camp.

n   Ro Mah Klit is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in April 2011 and reportedly held in Gia Lai province.

n   Rơ Mah Pró is an ethnic Montagnard Christian from Gia Lai province, sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in April 2011.

n   Rơ Mah Then is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in March 2009 and reportedly held in Gia Lai province.

n   Rôh is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in September 2009 and reportedly held in Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Rưn is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in November 2013 and reportedly held in Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Siu Ben also known as Ama Yon is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in March 2012 and last reported to be in Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Siu Brơm is an ethnic Montagnard Christian from Gia Lai province, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in April 2011.

n   Siu Hlom is an ethnic Montagnard Christian from Gia Lai province, sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in April 2011.

n   Siu Kơch is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in January 2010 and reportedly held at Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Siu Nheo is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in April 2011 and reportedly held at Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Siu Thái also known as Ama Thương is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in December 2011 and reportedly held in Gia Lai provincial prison.

n   Siu Wiu is an ethnic Montagnard Christian activist from the Central Highlands, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in January 2009.

n   T Khu, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Venerable Thch Thươl is a Khmer Krom Buddhist monk and deputy abbot of Serei Ta Sek Temple in Sóc Trăng province, sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in September 2013.

n   Thích Qung Đ is the Patriarch of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Viet Nam (UBCV) who has been confined to the Thanh Minh Zen monastery in H Chí Minh City since October 2003.

n   Trn Anh Kim is a former prisoner of conscience, army officer and writer who was arrested in September 2015 who is reportedly being detained in B14 prison in Hà Ni.

n   Trn Hunh Duy Thc is an entrepreneur, blogger and human rights defender, and co-author of The Path of Viet Nam” (Phong Trào Con Dường Vit Nam), sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment by H Chí Minh City People’s Court in January 2010.

n   Trn Phi Dung, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Trn Quân, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Trn Th Thúy, a trader, Hoa Hao Buddhist and land rights activist from Bến Tre province, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in May 2011.

n   Trn Vũ Anh Bình also known as Hoàng Nht Thông, a songwriter from H Chí Minh City, sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in October 2012.

n   T Thin Lương, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Ngc Cư, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Thành Lê, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Tiết, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Vương Tn Sơn, a follower of the “Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son” religious environmental group in P Yên province, sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in January 2013.

n   Yưh also known as Bă Nar is an ethnic Montagnard Christian, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in September 2009 and reportedly held in Gia Lai provincial prison. 

[END]

 

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