Re: To Protest the Appeal Trial’s Sentences of UWFOV’s members On the Appeal Trial in February 25, 2008, the Supreme Court in Ho Chi Minh City has sentenced members of The United Workers-Farmers Organization of Viet Nam (UWFOV) also known as members of The People's Democratic Party as followed ruling: Mr. Doan Van Dien: 4 years and 6 months of imprisonment, no sentence's reduction. Mrs. Tran Thi Le Hong (Le Hang): 3 years of imprisonment, no sentence's reduction. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet: 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment, no sentence's reduction. Mr. Doan Huy Chuong (aka Nguyen Tan Hoanh): 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment, no sentence's reduction. In addition, Mr. Phung Quang Huyen also was brought into the Appeal trial and sentenced 1 year and 6 month of imprisonment, no sentence's reduction. Without informing the UWFOV family’s members regarding the schedule of Appeal trial on February 25, 2008. Hanoi government silently brought these labor activists to trial, intentionally to cover up their unlawful tactics in order to get away from international media and public’s attentions. We strongly condemn the Appeal trial’s sentences and protest the illegal and unfair tactic of the so-called The Supreme Court. Again, Vietnam is still in violation of every basic human rights where labor activists’ rights were denied. We call on international human rights organizations to denounce these sentences as Ha Noi government continues using harsh sentence to discourage the labor activists. We call on the U.S. congressional members urgently pass the Vietnam Human Rights Act H.R. 3096 to support the democracy and human rights in Vietnam. Nam Tran, spokesperson of the People's Democratic Party Following a protest letter on January 29 from 20 Norwegian MPs to Hanoi president Nguyen Minh Triet, another Norwegian MP has offered his personal support for the Vietnamese democracy movement. Peter S. Gitmark, member of the Norwegian Storting, with the assistance of a Viet Tan member, Ms. Vo Hong, traveled through Vietnam to see democracy activists and inquire about the condition of individuals persecuted for their human rights advocacy. During the five days from February 18-22, Gitmark met in Saigon with relatives of Nguyen The Vu and Nguyen Viet Trung and in Hanoi with novelist Tran Khai Thanh Thuy and her family. In the meeting with the family of Nguyen The Vu and Nguyen Viet Trung, Mr. Gitmark listened as the relatives discussed the legal status and health of the two brothers. Mr. Gitmark stated that international opinion, especially in Norway, is focused on the case of the two men, along with that of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan and journalist Somsak Khunmi. All four have been detained since November 17, 2007, without trial or charges, for distributing leaflets promoting democracy through open, peaceful and nonviolent means. In the meeting with Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, Mr. Gitmark heard how her entire family was harassed and intimidated before and after she was in prison. She declared that her release was not by the good will of the regime, but because of the efforts of Vietnamese living in and outside the country, and the international community. The constant pressure from all sides on the Hanoi government led to the successful outcome. Peter Gitmark expressed admiration for the courage of Vietnamese democracy activists. With this trip, he wanted to further remind the Hanoi regime of the international community's concern for human rights and especially Vietnamese citizens persecuted for peaceful pro-democracy activities. Tran Khai Thanh Thuy told how touched she was to meet with parliamentarian Peter Gitmark and Vo Hong. The visit helped her stay resolute. She declared that she would maintain her efforts and not allow herself to be silenced. She would continue, along with fellow democracy activists, to work for the day Vietnam has true freedom. -- Angelina Do www.viettan.org   more »