INTERNATIONAL LABOUR VIETNAM:
APPEAL FROM THE FAMILIES:

Last October 21 Molly blogged about the case of three Vietnamese workers who have now been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the "crime" of organizing their fellow workers during a strike. The following item from the Committee To Protect Vietnamese Workers adds more information to this case. It is basically an appeal from the family of two of the prisoners. please go to the website of the Committee to see how you can help these worker activists.
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HELP!
Jailed advocates’ families asks overseas unions, organisations to help

PLEA FOR HELP

Ho Chi Minh City, 26.10.2010

To: Leaders of democratic nations,

Human rights organisations,

Social justice organisations, and

Unions around the world

We, the undersigned,:

- Đỗ Ty, domiciled at Di Linh, Lâm Đồng, father of Đỗ Thị Minh Hạnh

-Nguyễn Kim Hoàng, at 14/12 Bến Chương Dương, P. Cầu Kho, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City, father of Nguyễn Hoàng Quốc Hùng,

- Chiêm Thị Tường Mạnh, domicied at Trà Vinh, wife of Đoàn Huy Chương

We ask that you use your power and influence to help save our daughter, son, and husband, Đỗ Thị Minh Hạnh 25 years old, Nguyễn Hoàng Quốc Hùng 29 years, and Đoàn Huy Chương 25 tuổi, to be free from the harsh conviction which the Vietnamese authorities have declared, accusing them of disrupting national security and trying to overthrow the regime, and sentencing them 7, 9, and 7 years in prison.

They are innocent and the conviction is unjust.


PHOTO Doan Huy Chuong in court 26 Oct 2010, flanked by police
They are youths who are patriotic and humane who, for many years, have quietly helped poor people, people whose properties who have been forcibly taken, and workers who have been exploited and mistreated by employers. Those actions are the right thing to do and are not illegal.

But, instead of encouraging such actions which benefit society, eliminate injustice, build a fair society, our loved ones have been arrested by the police and accused under Clause 89 of the criminal act.

Đoàn Huy Chương was arrested on 13.02.2010, Đỗ Thị Minh Hạnh on 23.02.2010, and Nguyễn Hoàng Quốc Hùng on 24.02.2010.

During the 8 months of imprisonment without charges, our loved ones were held in isolation and incommunicado, were forcibly questioned, and treated like common criminals. During this whole time, Nguyễn Hoàng Quốc Hùng was not allowed any visit by us, he was beaten and we were not allowed to send in provisions for him. From a strong and healthy young man, Hung was physically beaten into a sick and weak man

At the trial on 26.10.2010 at Tra Vinh, the court violated its own trial procedures. Our loved ones decided to defend themselves but the judge did not allow them to speak. The trial was over very quickly and the sentences had been decided beforehand.

When allowed to say their last words, Nguyễn Hoàng Quốc Hùng, Đỗ Thị Minh Hạnh and Đoàn Huy Chương strongly denied any wrongdoing and asserted that the court was wrong.

All they have is their love for the country, in their hands they have no weapon, how can they be accused of harming national security?


PHOTO The couple Hung and Hanh, about late 2009
This is a most unjust conviction. Our loved ones are unjustly tried.

After their arrests, we were heartbroken but maintained some hope in justice because they had done nothing wrong. But the court of this regime has caused us pain, we are disappointed in the regime’s justice system.

We cannot find justice in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

We plead for your help, please help end our loved ones’ days in jail.

Respectfully and gratefully yours

Đỗ Ty

Nguyễn Kim Hoàng.

Chiêm Thị Tường Mạnh