We are deeply concerned about the fate of political and religious prisoners and detainees in Vietnam, including lawyer Cu Huy Ha Vu, businessman Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, lawyer Le Cong Dinh, former lieutenant-colonel Tran Anh Kim, IT engineer Nguyen Tien Trung, businessman Le Thang Long, freelance journalist Nguyen Van Hai, local government official Phung Lam, lawyer Phan Thanh Hai, businesswoman and social activist Bui Hang, freelance journalist and lawyer Ta Phong Tan, social activist Pham Thanh Nghien, and many other political and religious activists, catholic youths, journalists and musicians. They have been detained and prosecuted without due process of law, merely because of their peaceful criticism of the government and peaceful assembly with like-minded individuals.

We believe that the repression and criminalization of peaceful dissent in Vietnam are clear violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.

The improvement of the relationship between the United States and Vietnam is certainly an encouraging development. However, the increasing repression of dissent in Vietnam should concern those who are committed to the fundamental values of liberties and human dignity, all of which are founding principles of the United States.

Thus, by our signatures:

1. We ask that the United States government require the immediate and unconditional release of all political pioneers in Vietnam as a condition to extend trade relations with Vietnam, and as a condition for continuous non-humanitarian aid. A just and accountable government in Vietnam is necessary, to ensure that our tax money is effectively spent.

2. We ask that the Vietnamese government immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and detainees. Dialogue should be considered as a means to resolve differences, instead of repression of dissent.