High-profile Vietnamese political prisoner Tran Huynh Duy Thuc was granted a pardon but when he refused he was put on a plane anyway.
Prominent Vietnam ese democracy activist Tran Huynh Duy Thuc said he was forced to accept a presidential pardon after nearly 16 years in jail.
The release of Mr Thuc and another prominent political prisoner, climate campaigner Hoang Thi Minh Hong, came just one day before President Lam's trip to the United States."By default, I became an important supporting act for the president's visit to the US," Mr Thuc wrote on Facebook. According to a spokesperson for the Vietnamese embassy in Australia, the decision to grant amnesty for the prisoners was made by Mr Lam in late July "in alignment with Viet Nam's humanitarian traditions and the leniency policies of the Party and State towards offenders".
"Vietnam holds their own citizens like hostages. When they need to gain some points with Western countries, they release a few political prisoners. But at the same time, they put new ones in prison. It's like a revolving door," she said. "Three of them are still in jail, some have been freed and fled Vietnam to seek refuge in Thailand and overseas," said Mr Doan, who came to Australia in 1973 as a student.
As well as a lack of independent media, Vietnam has also banned all independent organisations including labour, religious and human rights groups, she said. "Prisoners are supposed to be allowed to access the yard once a week so that they can stretch," Mr Thuc told Saigon Broadcasting Television Network .
Vietnam President To Lam Authoritarian Regime Amnesty Human Rights Protest Freedom Of Expression Freedom Of Speech
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mount Isa leaders push for new prison to tackle high crime rate and job lossesAs Mount Isa grapples with one of the highest crime rates in Queensland and more than 1,000 imminent job losses, local leaders want a prison to be built in their backyard.
Read more »
‘Teachers don’t feel safe’: One in 12 high school students suspended amid behavioural crisisFigures released by the NSW Education Department show 59,814 suspensions were issued to public school students in 2023.
Read more »
Fire rips through high-end Brisbane wedding venue, leaving one fighting for lifeThick smoke began billowing over streets surrounding a Hubert Street building that became ablaze about 4.30pm.
Read more »
Three charges including one of rape against high-profile Sydney man withdrawn during trialThe man, who is on trial after pleading not guilty to 12 charges, now faces nine charges which include five counts of rape
Read more »
One-on-one hot dog eating clash between fierce rivals ends with new recordLongstanding beef has finally been squashed.
Read more »
Ultra Violette’s Skinvestment Day returns with buy one get one free offer on popular sunscreen7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »