Home > Press Release on the arrest of the Dr. Nguyen Dan Que
Press Release on the arrest of the Dr. Nguyen Dan Que
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM
TO SUPPORT THE NON-VIOLENT MOVEMENT FOR HUMAN RIGTHS IN VIETNAM
Press Release on the arrest of the Dr. Nguyen Dan Que
In the evening of 17 March 2003, at 8 pm, the security force of Saigon arrested Dr. Nguyen Dan Que in front of his house. The communists claimed that Dr. Que was on his way to the Internet Café to email messages criticizing the government conducts on human rights, specifically on freedom of information.
While he was detained at the local security station, other members of the security force broke into his house at midnight and carried off his cellular phones, laptop computer, and other written essays. The latest news from inside the country is that Dr. Que has been imprisoned at a municipal jail located on 237 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Saigon. It is clear that that communist government is taking advantage of the world’s pre-occupation with the impending Iraq war to arrest its most vocal opponents, those with the courage to speak out against its oppressive policy toward its own people and even more so against its ethnic minorities. That the timing of the arrest falls on the eve of war is no co-incident. Clearly, Hanoi had wanted to silent Dr. Que’s steadfast voice for some time but feared international condemnation.
We strongly protest the imprisonment of Dr. Que and other non-violent dissidents in Vietnam. We condemn the continuing policy of human rights violations in Vietnam. We call on the international community to raise its objection against the Hanoi’s unopposed actions and press for the immediate release of Dr. Que. Hanoi needs to know that it cannot capitalize on the Iraq war to press its own dark agenda at home.
Dr. Que is one of the most prominent human right activists of Vietnam. He has garnered international recognition for a lifetime of dedication to the cause of human rights and freedom. Repeatedly imprisoned, harassed, and threatened by the communist government for his outspoken views, he remains stalwart in his criticism of the government’s oppression against its own people. He had turned down a chance for exile to the United States to remain in Vietnam, under house arrest. For such fortitude, Dr. Que is the recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, the Raoul Wallenberg Human Rights Award, and he is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.
For further information, please contact Dr. Quan Q. Nguyen at 703-403-3219.
