Hanoi Increases Terrorizing Tactics Prior  to US-VN's Meeting

For Immediate Release 

(Ha Noi - April 23, 2007) - The Ha Noi government has continued to increase terrorizing tactics on Vietnamese  Dissidents prior to meeting the United States regarding human rights issue on April 24, 2007 in Washington DC.

-  On April 23, at around 5:50 pm Mrs. Vu Thuy Ha, Dr. Pham Hong Son's wife was on her way to meet United State Ambassador Michael Marine. Mrs. Ha was hit by plain-clothed police car, her health condition is unknown at this time.  Ha Noi authorities are well known for using plain-clothes police disguised as thugs to terrorize dissidents and their family members.

- On the same day, at Mrs. Vu Minh Khanh's house, lawyer Nguyen Van Dai's wife was guarded by the police. Khanh was told not to go seeing Ambassador Michael Marine as well. At 2:00 pm, police had set up signs warning "no cameras", "no foreigners" around Khanh's house to prevent anyone from entering her residence.

- On April 21, writer Tran Khai Thanh Thuy was arrested. Ha Noi police handcuffed and took her away from her family after they announced that Thuy was charged with violating article 88, Viet Nam's criminal code. Thanh Thuy's whereabouts are unknown at this moment.

- On April 18, Mr. Vu Van Hung, a high school teacher at Ha Tay province was arrested. Police surrounded the school where Mr. Binh was teaching. In front of students, they arrested him then took Mr. Hung home for a house-search.  Mr. Vu Van Hung is a democracy supporter. His detention location is unknown.

- Mr. Tran Van Hoa, an active Christian and member of the People's Democratic Party was constantly harassed by Quang Ninh police. Under such unbearable intimidation and terror tactics, Mr. Hoa is no longer living in his home town. He has left his wife and children and gone into hiding.

Similar to Mr. Hoa's situation, Mr. Truong Quoc Tuan, brother of detainee Truong Quoc Huy and Mr. Le Tri Tue, an active member of independent labor union, also went into hiding. They are both reportedly staying in Cambodia and seeking refuge there.

Regards,

Tran, Nam