Dear:
– Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations,
– Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner,
– Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt, UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom or Belief,
– Leaders of Free and Democratic Nations,
As you already know, Lien Tri pagoda was destroyed completely on Sept. 8, 2016 while Venerable Thich Khong Tanh was fainted and taken to District 2 Children’s Hospital, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) City, South Vietnam for treatment.
Picture shows the Lien Tri Pagoda was destroyed by the Vietnamese communist authorities on Sept. 8, 2016. It is now only an empty piece of land.
Dignitaries and followers of the Interfaith Council of Vietnam visited him on Sept. 11, 2016.
According to them, his health has weakened but his spirit very strong. Police are present in the hospital to hinder people from visiting and to monitor him and people visiting him closely. They also listen to conversations and there might be a recorder in the room of the Venerable. The authorities have tried to isolate him from his supporters and those who advocate for human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam. Almost every day the authorities order pro-communist monks to come to the hospital and induce him to accept the authorities’ decision which forced him and other monks in the Lien Tri Pagoda going to Cat Lai, Dong Nai province, a very remote place.
However, the Venerable has not accepted their term so far. The environment in the hospital has put Venerable Thich Khong Tanh in a very disadvantageous situation because he is surrounded by police and members of the Communist Party; even Hospital’s staff, nurses and doctors are also all members of the Communist Party. In fact, he seems to be under house arrest. The Venerable knows the danger to his life while being in the communist hospital. He planned to apply for discharge in the morning of Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, but as of today, we know he will still be staying at the hospital for a few more days. It is very difficult forus to communicate with him.
Dignitaries of the Interfaith Council took picture with Venerable Thich Khong Tanh on Sept. 11, 2016 at the hospital.
He is wearing yellow cloths in the middle.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are very concerned about the health and safety of Venerable Thich Khong Tanh because the authorities always seek to eliminate those who dissent by all means. The Venerable is one of the people they need to eliminate as his existence is seen as unfavorable to the regime. He has always advocated religious freedom, human rights and democracy for Vietnam.
Therefore, we urgently request you to use all means to protect Venerable Thich Khong Tanh and prevent the authorities from harming him as he has been considered as the enemy of the state.
We thank you deeply for your help and consideration.
Respectfully Yours,
Sub-dignitary Viet Hung Tran, MPPA, Vice-Chairman, Executive Committee.
Contact Information:Sub-dignitary Viet Hung Tran, MPPA, Vice-Chairman, Executive Committee.Phone: 514-299-0015 (Direct line)
Email: daocaodai1926@gmail.com
Dr. Hoi Van Do, Chairman, Executive Committee.
Phone: 407-234-3596 (Direct line).Email: hoivando@gmail.com
