Vietnam: Physical Attack on and Arrest of Lawyer Nguyễn Vãn Ðài | Joint Letter

December 18, 2015

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L4L and LRWC are concerned about the physical attack on, and the arrest of human rights lawyer Nguyễn Vãn Ðài. We have reason to believe that he was targeted in reprisal for his legitimate activities as a human rights defender and an attorney.

Nguyễn Vãn Ðài is the co-founder of the Vietnam Human Rights Committee and a pro- democracy activist. He has provided legal assistance to government critics and members of religious minorities. In addition, he has written extensively on human rights and has provided commentaries for BBC Vietnamese service.

Reports indicate that on 6 December 2015, Nguyễn Vãn Ðài and human rights activists Ly Quang Son, Vu Van Minh and Le Manh Thang were attacked and severely beaten by an estimated 20 masked men, travelling in two cars without registration plates and five motorbikes. The attackers robbed all four men’s mobile phones, wallets and other items.

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Viet Nam: Physical Attack on and Arrest of Lawyer Nguyễn Vãn Ðài | Joint Letter