Author: Prof. Nguyễn Thị Hiền
TO
· The Secretary-General of the United Nations
· Ambassadors and Permanent Missions that are Members of the United Nations Human Rights Council
· The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
· Governments and Parliaments of countries that respect human rights and the rule of law
· The European Parliament and the Council of Europe
· The Holy See (Vatican)
· International organizations and civil society organizations
· Citizens of countries around the world
RESPECTFULLY ADDRESSED TO YOU,
We, the Group for Freedom, Democracy, Freedom of Religion, Human Rights, Peace, Security, and International Order, respectfully submit to you a case of serious, systematic, and politically motivated human rights violations committed by the Communist authorities of Vietnam.
I. THE CASE OF MS. HOÀNG THỊ HỒNG THÁI
The Communist authorities of Vietnam have prosecuted and placed Ms. Hoàng Thị Hồng Thái in pre-trial detention under the vague and arbitrary accusation of “conducting propaganda against the State.”
The writings and civic activities of Ms. Hoàng Thị Hồng Thái are entirely peaceful in nature, and primarily consist of:
· analyzing legal and public policy issues,
· relying on existing laws to identify right and wrong in a constructive manner,
· not calling for violence, not inciting hatred, and not threatening national security.
Such contributions are essential to social progress and good governance. However, instead of engaging in dialogue, the Communist authorities of Vietnam have chosen to arbitrarily repress, detain, and criminalize the exercise of freedom of expression.
II. SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW (12 CRITERIA)
The arrest and detention of Ms. Hoàng Thị Hồng Thái, along with many other activists, constitute serious violations of international human rights norms, including but not limited to:
1. Articles 1 and 2 – Charter of the United Nations: violation of the purposes of protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms
2. Article 9 – Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): prohibition of arbitrary arrest and detention
3. Article 19 – UDHR: right to freedom of opinion and expression
4. Article 18 – UDHR: freedom of thought and conscience
5. Article 21 – UDHR: right to participate in public and political life
6. Article 19 – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), ratified by Vietnam
7. Article 14 – ICCPR: right to a fair trial
8. Article 9 – ICCPR: right to liberty and security of person
9. Convention Against Torture (CAT): prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment
10. Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
11. Resolutions of the European Parliament on Vietnam and Human Rights
12. The principles of the rule of law and the international obligations of a United Nations Member State
III. THE SITUATION OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN VIETNAM
At present, at least 160 political, religious, and environmental prisoners are being arbitrarily and unlawfully detained by the Communist authorities of Vietnam solely for:
· exercising their human rights,
· engaging in peaceful advocacy for freedom, democracy, and justice.
Under international law, these individuals have committed no crime.
IV. PETITION AND REQUESTS
Because of the above violations, we respectfully urge:
1. Strong and unequivocal condemnation of the human rights repression carried out by the Communist authorities of Vietnam
2. The immediate and unconditional release of Ms. Hoàng Thị Hồng Thái
3. The immediate release of all political, religious, and environmental prisoners in Vietnam
4. The application of strong measures, including but not limited to:
o targeted individual sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act,
o suspension or conditionality of economic and trade agreements,
o targeted bans and sanctions against individuals and institutions responsible for violations
5. The integration of human rights as a mandatory condition in all bilateral and multilateral relations with Vietnam
We firmly believe that the International Community—especially the United States, the European Union, and democratic nations—has reached the moment to take decisive action to compel the Communist authorities of Vietnam to respect their international obligations.
**RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
WITH OUR SINCERE THANKS**
January 9, 2026
GROUP FOR FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, HUMAN RIGHTS, PEACE, SECURITY, AND INTERNATIONAL ORDER
SIGNATORIES
· Dr. Lê Thị Lê – lethile2@gmail.com
· Prof. Nguyễn Thị Hiền – ngthihien2015@gmail.com
· Prof. Phan Thị Độ – phanthido09@gmail.com
· Dr. Tạ Nguyễn – drnguyenta@gmail.com
· Eng. Quyền Nhân – quyennhan2015@gmail.com
Teacher Nguyễn Thế Quang – rvngovernmentinexile@gmail.com
Republic of Vietnam Government in Exile – rvngovernmentinexile@gmail.com
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Chính Phủ Việt Nam Cộng Hoà Lưu Vong 