His Excellency Nguyễn Xuân Phúc
Prime Minister
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
XX September 2016
Dear Prime Minister Phúc,
We the undersigned parliamentarians are writing to express our concern about the current situation and wellbeing of Vietnamese citizens Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thu Hà.
Lawyer Nguyễn Văn Đài was arrested in Hanoi on 16 December 2015 on the charge of “conducting propaganda against the State” (Article 88 of the Penal Code). At the time of his arrest, Dai was preparing for a meeting with members of the European Union delegation who were in Hanoi for the annual human rights dialogue with Vietnam. After his arrest, officers from the Ministry of Public Security searched his home and confiscated a number of computers, laptops, cell phones, hard disks, USB sticks and documents. On the same day, Ms. Lê Thu Hà, Đài’s assistant, was also arrested in his office in Hanoi. If convicted, Dai and Ha could face up to twenty years in prison.
Đài’s supporters believe that the charges against Đài relate to his work as a human rights defender, trainer and activist. For over 15 years Đài has offered pro bono legal advice to vulnerable social groups and trained communities on their rights according to the Vietnamese Constitution and the international treaties that Vietnam has signed or ratified.
We understand that Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thu Hà are currently in detention, awaiting trial. We are pleased to note that Vietnam is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary detention, guarantees the right to a fair trial, and stipulates that detainees be treated with humanity and respect for their dignity.
In line with these provisions, we the undersigned parliamentarians respectfully request that the Vietnamese Government urgently reviews the cases of Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thu Hà, and implements the following recommendations:
· To release Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thu Hà immediately and unconditionally;
· To ensure that the conditions which they are subjected to in detention comply with international standards, and to ensure that they have access to legal counsel;
· To respect the fundamental human rights of Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thu Hà during detention, including their right to freedom of religion or belief.
Yours sincerely,
Marie-Luise Dött
Member of German Bundestag
