We have all been deeply moved by the letter calling for help from Mrs Thi Kieu Oanh, wife to Mr PHAM Minh Hoang, a 55 year-old French citizen, lecturer in Mathematics at the Ho Chi Minh City Technology University. On August the 13th, he has been arrested by Vietnam’s political police in charge of the investigation on his motives for signing the petitions against the eco-unfriendly exploitation of the Bauxite mines in the Central Highlands, and against the concession of the Hoang Sa et Truong Sa Islands to the Chinese authorities.
To our knowledge, Mr PHAM Minh Hoang is a calm, gentle person, always trying to be useful to society in a strict respect of law.
During his 20 years of educational and professional activities in France, his many friends and acquaintances particularly appreciated him for his kindness and devotion during numerous social and cultural activities regarding Vietnamese community. He dedicated a lot of his time and efforts in order to support Vietnamese integration into French society while simultaneously keeping their strong and respectable identity.
As for his university teaching activities in Vietnam for 10 years, his students always admired him for his educational skills as well as for his availability. Many of them also followed his extra-curricular courses on strengthening intellectual capacities. His colleagues willingly recognize his substantial contributions in favor of the young community as well as his deep desire to offer them a worthy future.
To summarize, Mr PHAM Minh Hoang is a devoted citizen, willing to live in Vietnam and serving his fatherland. He never had any intention to disturb public order neither to threaten the security of the state. Being preoccupied about environmental issues is only the duty of a responsible citizen. Being worried about the integrity of the territory is no more than the concern of a patriotic citizen.
Therefore, we urge the Vietnamese Government to release Mr PHAM Minh Hoang, in the respect of the International Conventions for Human Rights, so that he can carry on his peaceful and responsible life with his wife, daughter and 90-year-old parents.
Signed:
Friends of Vietnam, as well as friends, colleagues, and students of Mr. Pham Minh Hoang, Lecturer in Mathematics at the Ho Chi Minh City Technology
| The petition will be sent to
- Foreign agencies cooperating with the Ho Chi Minh City Technology University
- Media publishing information on Viet Nam
- Organizations defending freedom and human rights
- Administrative agencies, national governments aiding or trading to Vietnam |
