A Vietnamese attorney who works in human rights activism needs real, sincere protection from Vietnam’s government.

To the attention of: Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya 
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders,
c/o: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights – Palais Wilson
United Nations Office at Geneva, CH 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

Re: Vietnam: Attack on human rights lawyer Mr Le Quoc Quan

Dear Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya,

I am William Nicholas Gomes, Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com. I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the attack on human rights lawyer Mr Le Quoc Quan that I have been informed by Front Line Defenders. According to the information received from frontline defender, on 19 August 2012, prominent human rights lawyer Mr Le Quoc Quan was attacked near his home in Hanoi. He believes that the police were behind the attack. As well as providing legal representation to those who are persecuted for claiming their rights, Le Quoc Quan runs a blog.

In this blog he writes about various issues including civil rights, political pluralism and religious freedom. He has also participated in a number of protests against China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

 Attack

 On 19 August, at approximately 8:00 pm, Le Quoc Quan was attacked by three men dressed in plain clothes while walking towards his home from a nearby car park. He was struck three times with steel rods, on the knee, thigh and back, and he also sustained injuries to the head and stomach. The attackers fled the scene when passers-by heard his cries for help. He was hospitalised at the Central Hospital of Transport and Communications in Hanoi. Le Quoc Quan believes that the attack was carried out by police or people connected to the police and that it was meant to discourage his human rights activities, according to Front Line Defenders

Le Quoc Quan has been persecuted in the past for what the authorities consider to be his dissident activities. In 2011, he was arrested while protesting outside the trial of fellow human rights defender Mr Cu Huy Ha Vu and detained for a week. In 2008, he was disbarred from Hanoi Bar Association for his human rights activism. Furthermore, in 2007, Le Quoc Quan was detained for three months and charged with taking part in “activities to overthrow the people’s government”. He was later released following international protests, according to Front Line Defenders.

Along with Front Line Defenders, I condemn the attack on Le Quoc Quan and I am deeply concerned for his physical and psychological security. Given the history of harassment and intimidation, I along with Front Line Defenders believe that the attack may be motivated by Le Quoc Quan’s legitimate activities in the defence of human rights.

I urge you to ask the Vietnam government to carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the attack on human rights defender Le Quoc Quan, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

I also urge you for your urgent intervention into the case.

Please ask the Vietnam government to take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of Le Quoc Quan and his family.

Please also ask the Vietnam government to guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Vietnam are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.

Yours sincerely,

William Nicholas Gomes

Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com

Source: http://www.salem-news.com/articles/august242012/vietnam-attacks-wg.php

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