Letter of the Honorable Bernie Ripoll, Member of the Australian Parliament, to the Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia on recent religious persecutions in Vietnam.
Bernie Ripoll, M.P.
Federal Member for Oxley
2 January 2001
Mr. Vu Chi Cong
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
6 Timbarra Cres
O'Malley ACT 2606
Dear Mr. Vu,
I have been contacted by a number of my constituents regarding the issue of religious freedom and human rights in Vietnam. In particular the right to free religious expression.
I have been informed that a number of Catholic priests and Buddhist monks have been detained in respect to their religious activity. Those detained have been from several religious groups including those from the congregation of the Nguyent Bieu Parish.
I have been given specific information relating to an incident on 4 December 2000 relating to the removal of a contentious banner at the compound of the Nguyen Bieu Parish. My constituents have expressed their concern with the welfare of those involved in the protest at Nguyen Bieu Parish and the long-term on site detention of Father Tadeo Nguyen Van Ly.
I understand that the Vietnamese Government has signed the UN Declaration of Human Rights and as such would not allow these incidents to occur.
I am seeking further information regarding these issues and hope that you can bring this information to the correct authorities in the Vietnamese Government for their attention at your earliest convenience.
Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated and I wish you and your Embassy staff here in Australia all the best in the year of the snake.
Your sincerely,
(Signed)
BERNIE RIPOLL MP
Federal Member for Oxley