Sources: Human Rights Watch/Asia, Vietnamese Committee on Human Rights, PEN members, others On 15 August 1995, the Venerable Thich Quang Do, a Buddhist scholar and religious leader who is the author of numerous books and poetry, was sentenced to five years in prison. Five others were also convicted with him to sentences of up to […]
Sources: Human Rights Watch/Asia, Vietnamese Committee on Human
Rights, PEN members, others
On 15 August 1995, the Venerable Thich Quang Do, a Buddhist
scholar and religious leader who is the author of numerous books
and poetry, was sentenced to five years in prison. Five others
were also convicted with him to sentences of up to five years.
Thich Quang Do, who was arrested on 4 January 1995, was convicted
of “undermining public unity.” He was specifically charged with:
1) distributing a 40-page document accusing the government of
suppressing Buddhist rights; 2) hanging an unauthorized sign
above his residence proclaiming his affiliation to the Unified
Buddhist Church of Vietnam; and 3) informing overseas
organizations about the arrest of other monks who were involved
in providing relief to flood victims on an unofficial basis. The
others sentenced with Thich Quang Do were all involved in the
relief operation.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Vietnamese authorities:
violation of his right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed
under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
granted, and that the court take note of concerns that the
continued detention of Thich Quang Do is in breach of
international human rights standards
Appeals To
His Excellency Do Muoi
Secretary General
The Vietnamese Communist Party
Ha Noi, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: +84 4 459 205
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
