By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

WASHINGTON, U.S. – 37 U.S. Senators have written to Vietnam’s president asking for “immediate and unconditional release” of Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, a Roman Catholic priest who has been a strong advocate for democracy in Vietnam.

Father Ly is the founder of Bloc 8406, a pro-democracy movement that began in 2006.  The Vietnamese government has accused Father Ly of spreading propaganda against its communist government.

Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly (Source: AP)

However, the U.S. Senators believe that Father Ly’s trial back in 2007 was seriously flawed.  According to a human rights group, Father Ly was denied access to a lawyer and the security guards silenced him when Father Ly tried to speak during the four-hour trial.  Thereafter, he was sentenced to eight years.

In their letter, the U.S. lawmakers said, “Given these serious flaws in relation to his arrest, trial and imprisonment, we request that you…allow him to return to his home and work without restrictions to his right to freedom of expression, association and movement.”  The Senators added, “Father Ly’s arrest, trial and ongoing detention in this instance call into question Vietnam’s commitment to …fundamental principles.”

The Vietnamese Embassy in Washington did not confirm receipt of the senators’ letter, but Maran Turner of Freedom Now said imprisoning Father Ly would mean that U.S. government has placed Vietnam back on the list of “countries of particular concern” for violations of religious freedom.  U.S. did place Vietnam on this list in 2004, but removed it in 2006.

Father Ly is well known in the United States for his longstanding fight in promoting religious freedom and democracy for Vietnam, and the 63-year old priest has been jailed three times for a total of 17 years since 1970’s.

For more information, please see:

AP – 37 senators seek freedom for Vietnamese priest – 1 July 2009

BBC – US call to free Vietnamese priest – 2 July 2009

NYT – 37 U.S. Senators Urge Vietnam to Free Imprisoned Priest – 1 July 2009