Washington D.C., Apr 6, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Freedom House has petitioned the Government of Vietnam for the immediate release of 10 Hmong Christians as well as other religious prisoners, who were imprisoned for their beliefs, as a good will gesture during this Easter Season.
In its appeal, submitted yesterday, Freedom House’s Center for Religious Freedom argued that the release of religious prisoners is necessary under basic international human rights law and Vietnam's bill of rights.
Three of the prisoners, on whom the Center’s appeal focuses, are elders or leaders of their churches. One of the elders, Ma Van Bay, remains jailed without benefit of due process since November 2003.
Others among the Hmong prisoners have been charged with vague or catchall offenses, such as "disturbing public order, "taking advantage of religion to take money from the people," and "resisting a police officer doing his duty." They are serving prison terms, ranging from 18 months to 12 years.