Human rights issue in Vietnam is in alarming condition. After numerous “kidnapping-style” arrests occurred in Vinh in July and August this year, the government of Vietnam made another similar arrest in Saigon on August 27th, 2011 at HUFLIT College (a college of foreign languages and IT).
At about 9:30 AM on August 27th, 2011, a student named Paul Tran Minh Nhat walked out of the College Final Exam room. Immediately, a security guard and a teacher pushed him into the elevator and took him to the Vice-Principal Office. Four undercover police agents awaiting there instantly took Paul into a white vehicle and drove away. There was no warrant for the arrest nor any legal documents presented to Paul. Students at the college reported that the whole incident happened within a few minutes and the four undercover police agents did not announce any reasonings.
Paul Tran Minh Nhat was an active Catholic student who attended an online Catholic media seminar provided by the Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris (CSsR). On June 5th, 2011, he was one among thousands of Vietnamese Saigonners participated in the anti-Chinese invasion scheme demonstration.
In the evening of August 27th, 2011, Vietnamese police agents took Paul back to his apartment where he shared room with a few other students. The police conducted a search and confiscated his computer CPU and all USB devices of his roommates. All the roommates were threatened and interrogated by the police about Paul’s activities.
It has been more than 72 hours since the illegal arrest at the HUFLIT college, but Paul’s family still does not have any official news about Paul’s whereabout and why he was taken away. The family is very concerned for his life and safety.
All “kidnapping-style” arrests are illegal according to Vietnam Constitution, Vietnam Due Process of Law, and international laws.
I urge you to request the government of Vietnam to release Paul Tran Minh Nhat immediately and unconditionally. Vietnam government must respect the human rights of its citizens, which include the freedom of expressions.
Thank you very much for your attention and support.
Respectfully,
Anthony and Peter, VN
