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Prime Minister Phan Van Khai
Office of the Prime Minister
Hoang Hoa Tham
Ha Noi
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAMDear Prime Minister:
I am gravely concerned about the imprisonment of Father Thadeus Nguyen Van
Ly. Hundreds of police officers reportedly took part in the arrest of the
Roman Catholic priest on May 17, 2001, as he prepared to celebrate Mass
in Hue. After a trial lasting only half a day, Father Ly was sentenced on
October 19, 2001, to 15 years in prison with an additional five years of
probation following release. He was convicted under vaguely worded provisions
of national security legislation that criminalize peaceful dissent.
Father Ly has spent decades peacefully attempting to exercise his right
to freedom of expression and religion. Imprisoned on previous occasions
as a result of his activities to promote religious freedom, Father Ly provided
written testimony in February 2001 to the U.S. Commission on International
Religious Freedom concerning freedom of religion in Vietnam. Three months
later, police arrested him.
Amnesty International considers Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly to be a prisoner
of conscience who has been imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression
of his dissenting political and religious beliefs. I join with Amnesty in
urging you to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of Father
Ly. I thank you in advance for your swift intervention in this situation.
Sincerely,
Appeals to:
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai
Office of the Prime Minister
Hoang Hoa Tham
Ha Noi
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Copy to:
Ambassador Nguyen Tam Chien
Embassy of Vietnam
1233 20th Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20036