On November 17, six pro-democracy activists were arrested by communist Vietnamese police in Saigon for discussing peaceful means of promoting democratic change in Vietnam. Among the six individuals currently detained is Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan, whom is an active member of the Vietnamese Professionals Society. Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan is a founding member and past General Secretary of the Vietnamese Professionals Society. According to information received to date, it is not known where Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan is being held. The remaining five pro-democracy activists are reportedly being held in a Saigon detention centre.
The unprovoked arrest by Vietnamese police of Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan along with that of Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, Mr Truong Van Ba (Leon), Mr Nguyen The Vu, Mr Nguyen The Khiem and Mr Somsak Khunmi, violates these individuals' basic rights as recognized by the Vietnamese government's signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Vietnamese Professionals Society strongly opposes the repressive actions by the Vietnamese government and urges the immediate safe release of all six pro-democracy activists. The Vietnamese Professionals Society calls upon its members around the world, along with all Vietnamese citizens, to advocate for this cause and to support Dr Nguyen Quoc Quan and all other victims persecuted by the Vietnamese communist government.
Mr Nguyen Ngoc Danh
President, Vietnamese Professionals Society
22 November 2007  |
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