In this Vietnamese name, the family name is Lê. According to Vietnamese custom, this person should properly be referred to by the given name Quân.
| Le Quoc Quan | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Vietnamese |
| Occupation | lawyer |
| Known for | democracy activism, 2007 detention |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Lê Quốc Quân is a Vietnamese human rights lawyer, democracy activist and prominent Catholic blogger who has been arrested by the Vietnamese government on charges of tax evasion in December 27 2012. The arrest has been condemned by many human rights organization.
|
2007 Arrest
On 8 March 2007, Quan was detained after he returned to Vietnam from a fellowship with the U.S.-based National Endowment for Democracy. The detention led U.S. presidential candidate John McCain and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright to write to Vietnam in protest and Amnesty International to name him a prisoner of conscience.
During Quan's detention, U.S. Ambassador Michael Marine invited his
wife to tea at the U.S. Embassy, but was unable to meet her when police
blocked her from entering. Vietnamese authorities accused Quan of "activities to overthrow the people's government", but did not formally charge him. He was released three months later.
2008 March
Quan is a Roman Catholic and an advocate for religious freedom. He participated in a march of Catholics on 29 January 2008 at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi,
protesting the government's occupation of land also claimed by the
church. He later told reporters that he had been beaten by guards during
the march.
2011 Arrest
On 5 April 2011, he was re-arrested along with Pham Hong Son when attempting to observe the trial of democracy activist Cu Huy Ha Vu.
The pair were held for "causing public disorder". Son's wife Vu Thu Ha
stated that Son had been assaulted by police with batons prior to his
arrest. After the U.S. government and human rights groups called for the men's release, both were released without charge on 13 April.
2012 Arrest
In July 2012, Independent Catholic News reported that he had been threatened by state media for his activism on behalf of his diocese. Police raided his office and attempted to take him to a police station, but were blocked by Quan's supporters.
On 19 August 2012, Le Quoc Quan was attacked by police near his home in Hanoi.
He was returning to his home when he was attacked, at around 8pm. He
was injured in the head, back and knee and required hospitalization. The attack prompted US-based Human Rights Watch to call for a full investigation He had been harassed before and stated his belief that this attack was connected to the police.
On December 18 2012, Le Quoc Quan published a piece on his blog that was critical of the government's cling to power. The article entitled "Constitution or a contract for electricity and water service?"
criticized the Vietnam National Assembly for an article that states
that the Communist Party should have a de-facto leading role in Vietnam. In the article, which was published by BBC,
Mr. Quan writes "I may be put in prison. Nevertheless, my belief in
human beings, the importance of the issue and the consciousness of a
citizen urged me to write."
Nine days after the publication, on December 27 2012, when Mr Quan
was dropping off his daughter at school, he was arrested by the police.
The police searched his office, confiscated documents and told his
family that he will be charged under Article 161 of the Criminal Code
relating to tax evasion.
Detention and Trial
Mr. Quan is currently detained incommunicado in Hoa Lo Prison with no access to his lawyer and family. Three days after his detention, he has started a hunger strike in prison, which lasted for at least four days.
A trial date has not been set yet. He could face a sentence up to three years in prison and a heavy fine.
International Support
Following the 2007 arrest, U.S. presidential candidate John McCain and former Secretary of State Madeline Albright have already expressed their support in freeing Le Quoc Quan . Amnesty International has already named him a prisoner of conscience.
Following the 2012 arrest, Human Rights Watch have called for these "politically motivated charges to be dropped."
The organization has also pointed out the similarity of using "tax
evasion charges" to frame political dissidents such as in the case of Dieu Cay.
The World Organization Against Torture has called for the charges to be dropped and for his immediate release.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Quoc_Quan
No comments:
Post a Comment