Washington D.C., Jul 29, 2011 / 04:03 am
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has condemned the Vietnamese government’s latest arrest of religious freedom advocate Fr. Nguyen Van Ly.
“Father Ly should be immediately and unconditionally released,” said commission chair Leonard Leo. He characterized Fr. Ly as a “frail” priest who has “peacefully advocated for the fundamental right to freedom of religion.”
Vietnamese officials seized him “without any warning” and despite his caretakers’ statements that he is not well enough to travel, Leo said.
Fr. Ly, 63, is under treatment for several strokes and an apparent brain tumor. Since March 2010 he has been on medical parole. In May 2007 he was sentenced to eight years in prison and five years of house arrest on charges of spreading anti-communist propaganda.