Văn Thư Gởi Các Dân Biểu Vận Động Cho Nhạc Sĩ Việt Khang
The Honorable _____
US House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515
Dear Congressman,
At the Jan 24 hearing on “Examining Ongoing Human Rights Abuses in Vietnam” held by the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Ed Royce raised concern about the recent arrest of Viet Khang (born Vo Minh Tri), a songwriter jailed for expressing his patriotic feelings and calling on the civic duty of fellow Vietnamese. He was arrested and is currently detained without charges.
He co-founded Patriotic Youth, a loose network of college students, young professionals and young artists, to promote public consciousness about social justice and civic engagement. Some members created blogs and websites to advocate for the respect of human rights, freedom, and free elections. Others passed out fliers calling for democratic reforms and the defense of Vietnam’s sovereignty against China’s expansionism. Viet Khang wrote two songs that spread virally through the internet.
His song “Who are you?” questions the conscience of public security police members who brutally assaulted, arrested and detained demonstrators for peacefully expressing concern over China’s territorial ambitions. In “Where is my Viet Nam?”, Viet Khang confesses disillusionment with a regime that pays little attention to the spreading social injustices, decries the leadership’s lack of resolve to defend the country’s sovereignty, and calls on citizens to assume responsibility for Vietnam’s future. He personally performed both songs and posted them on the internet. Soon after their posting, he and two other members of Patriotic Youth were arrested: Tran Vu Anh Binh, also a songwriter, and Nguyen Thien Thanh, a college student. These arrests constitute a blatant violation of human rights and freedom of expression.
I call on you to join your colleague Congressman Royce in voicing your concern with the Vietnamese government and demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
Sincerely,
Name:
Address:
* Source: http://forum.trungtamasia.com/yaf_po...IET-KHANG.aspx
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