STATEMENT BY THE VIETNAM PATH MOVEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF NGUYEN TIEN TRUNG AND VI DUC HOI

The recent release of some prisoners of conscience by Vietnam government proved are proofs of the effectiveness of peaceful and non-violent struggle. We encourage activists and civil groups to further promote activities aiming for the protection and improvement of human rights
Ông Vi Đức Hồi và anh Nguyễn Tiến Trung (DR)

Ông Vi Đức Hồi và anh Nguyễn Tiến Trung (DR)

Vietnamrightnow | APRIL 13, 2014

The Vietnam Path Movement has received news of activists Nguyen Tien Trung and Vi Duc Hoi being released from prison today following an order signed by Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang. We believe the release of these two activists is a positive change toward human rights in Vietnam, which is the main operational objective of the Vietnam Path Movement ever since the movement was founded.

We welcome this decision by the government of Vietnam and believe that recent release of activists is the result of the relentless struggle for human rights by people from within the country and abroad, which includes the activists themselves and many other organizations. We also want to note that there are hundreds of prisoners of conscience who are still imprisoned in Vietnam. Profiles of activists Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Le Quoc Quan,Dinh Nguyen Kha, Nguyen Van Hai (Dieu Cay), Ta Phong Tan, Bui Thi Minh Hang, and many others are still the main focus for struggles and pressures both domestically and abroad. The Vietnam Path Movement will continue to fight not only for the freedom of activists but also for the absolute respect for human rights of all citizens of Vietnam.

The recent release of some prisoners of conscience by Vietnam government proved are proofs of the effectiveness of peaceful and non-violent struggle. We encourage activists and civil groups to further promote activities aiming for the protection and improvement of human rights, which is still a serious concern in Vietnam. Meanwhile, we urge the government of Vietnam to terminate all acts of harassment and unlawful control/monitor toward civil activists, create a legal and broader corridor for civil society in Vietnam to form and contribute toward the overall development of the country.

April 12, 2014

For the Vietnam Path Movement

Nguyen Xuan Ngai