This page is for anyone who supports Chau Van Kham, an Australian citizen imprisoned in Vietnam.
We call on the Australian government to strongly advocate for his release.
The wonderful people at Human Rights Watch have created these quote cards for use on social media.
The first lot are the original full size ones and the second lot have been resized for Twitter (because Twitter automatically chops off the top and bottom in previews).
Please use and share them widely on all social media with , and they are suitable as cover photos and profile pictures.
A lovely heartfelt message to Kham on his birthday that so eloquently expresses how we feel about him and this situation, and why human rights can never be sacrificed. ❤️❤️
Dear Khảm,
I am very sad and sorry thinking of you now languishing in a Vietnamese Communist prison on your 71 birthday.
I have been trying my best to find a reason not to blame the Australian Government, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne in particular, for not doing her job, that is to protect an innocent Australian citizen, and give justice to you, and bring you back home to your family in Australia.
But I cannot!
Ms Elaine Pearson, Australia Director at Human Rights Watch based in Sydney, has said: “A prosperous economy means nothing if people are denied basic human rights”.
Ms Payne and the current Government have failed you when putting trade above human rights. It’s a shame!
Be brave, my friend, we love you and everyone here is doing our best to bring you home, regardless!
15 June 2020
Đỗ Đăng Liêu
Today citizen Chau Van Kham will have his 71st birthday alone in a prison in . His wife and children have not spoken with him since his arrest in January 2019; his wife longs simply to hear his voice. Read the new opinion piece by Human Rights Watch's Australia director, Elaine Pearson in The Canberra Times: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/15/australian-government-must-step-save-its-own-citizen
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD FRIEND
Today we like to take this opportunity to remind you of how a strong and decisive person you were. You have such an immense believe in what you do and what you strive for that made everyone believed. On your birthday we wish nothing more than for you to stay strong, renew your believes and come home soon to your loving family and friends. Happy 71st Birthday Chau Van Kham.
(Please join hands and sign the petition for the release of Chau Van Kham with the link below)
http://chng.it/dk98LjXTjh
Today, 15 June, Chau Van Kham turns 71.
He will spend his birthday alone as a political prisoner, denied a fair trial and subject to the further human rights violations of denial of access, support and his medication.
Elaine Pearson from Human Rights Watch has written this excellent piece for The Canberra Times on the human rights issues in his case and why the Australian government must do more.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6791905/the-australian-government-must-step-up-to-save-its-own-citizen/?cs=14258 .tab=0
Please share this article on your social media. If on Twitter, please use the hashtag .
Kham may be physically alone, but, today especially, please do your best to let his family know he really isn’t.
Given his age and medical condition he is at increased risk of serious illness. Australia's diplomats should demand Vietnam consider his humanitarian release an immediate priority.
Thank you to everyone who has followed this page since it started and who is advocating for Chau Van Kham on social media and in letters to their MPs.
I wanted to give some insight into why this is so important because it’s easy to feel helpless in these situations and wonder what these measures are actually achieving.
The concept of “making noise” is not to directly prompt the Vietnamese government to do things differently, but to get the Australian government to advocate more strongly so they push the Vietnamese government harder.
Although we’d like to believe that governments do the right thing and advocate as strongly and forcefully as they can in situations of injustice, the fact is that they don’t. Kham’s case in particular is, frankly, a shocking abandonment of an Australian citizen. He has been publically ignored and we know that limited, if any, measures have been taken to secure his safety, let alone his release, by virtue of the fact that there was no access or medication for months and he was moved without prior information to the Australian government.
There are a myriad of reasons why governments don’t advocate as strongly as they should, both generally and specifically in each case. But the crucial aspect is that because we are a democracy, governments care about what their population thinks and wants. The more noise that is made the more they have to answer uncomfortable questions, the more the media holds them to account, and the more they have to worry about something becoming an election issue. Further, people in government are also human. The more noise around an issue the more they are simply reminded of it where they might otherwise put it on the backburner.
This is an excellent article on the distinctions in cases that is worth reading for more insight: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-07/why-do-some-australian-political-prisoners-get-more-attention/11769644
In Kham’s case, the Australian government clearly needs to be pushed on this issue. We also know that when foreign governments have properly advocated with Vietnam, it has made a difference and resulted in the release of prisoners.
One tweet, one FB Like, one letter, does not seem like much. But if 10,000 people tweet, Like and write then it is suddenly significant. This also has the capacity to create momentum and attract media and more high profile attention. It doesn’t matter if you don’t get any response to any of what you do - the important thing is that it is getting the word out there and increasing awareness. Everything you do IS making a difference even when you don’t know it.
In a single week in January, two Australian men were swiftly arrested in Asia. Both faced trumped-up charges of threatening national security in communist regimes. But they have received very different responses from the Australian Government.
Denial of family contact and supplies is a common tactic employed by the Vietnamese government and authorities against political prisoners, to further punish them for their dissent.
Governments need to support their citizens. As brilliantly articulated by Jason Rezaian, who was inprisoned in Iran, it is a fundamental component of democracy that citizens believe they are supported by their government; without that democracy falls down.
As an Australian citizen, Chau Van Kham is entitled to his government’s support. And Australia must stand firm against human rights abuses, particularly matters such as arbitrary detention and the imprisonment of people for political dissent, which go against the rights of freedom of ideas, association and political dissent.
Kham did nothing other than exercise his rights on this, standing bravely in support of the fundamentals of democracy.
Australia cannot tolerate the continued and deliberate added abuse of its citizen. The government must act urgently and firmly to advocate for Kham’s release and to ensure in the meantime their access to Kham, his family’s access including phone calls, and consistent access to his medication. These human rights issues must be front and centre in any discussions with Vietnam.
https://the88project.org/newsletter-no-23/
Please sign the petition to urge the Australian government to act: https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
The authorities have finished their investigation into Dinh Van Phu, who was arrested in January for his online posts. Locals arrested in the raid on D**g Tam Commune in January remain in pre-trial detention, are denied visits from their family, and have restrictions on what supplies they can receiv...
**UPDATE** Kham’s sister and nephew visited the new prison today and managed to confirm he is safe and leave him food and medication.
We are very relieved to hear that Kham is OK (relatively speaking).
However, it should not take 4 months to confirm Kham’s safety nor should it be left to families to deal directly with prison authorities on an ad hoc basis. We don’t know, for example, why Kham’s sister was told he was no longer at the prison in Ho Chi Minh City in May.
The Australian government needs to do more to secure regular access to Kham, both consular and family, and ensure he has his medication consistently. They must also work as a priority to secure his release, particularly given his age and ill health.
Please sign the petition https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
Please also continue to post on Twitter using and to comment on and like posts on this page so others in your Facebook community see them.
And please please write to your Federal MPs advocating for more support for Kham. https://www.facebook.com/103210378088939/posts/111082813968362/?d=n
Help release Australian human rights advocate Chau Van Kham from the Vietnamese Government
Chau Van Kham’s disappearance inside the Vietnamese prison system is of grave concern.
Kham is 70 years old (nearly 71) and in ill health, requiring essential medication as per medical professionals’ recommendations. He has been hospitalized several times since his arrest in January 2019. His sister was last able to provide him with this medication in February.
Although Vietnamese authorities have stated he has been moved, there has been no direct contact with Kham since this visit in February. The last consular access was in January and there have been no phone calls since his arrest. There is no direct confirmation of his whereabouts. Given his sister was told at her last visit that he was no longer at the prison in Ho Chi Minh City, but the Vietnamese authorities only claimed he was moved to Ham Tan on 1 June, this is extremely concerning.
“My father is of old age now without any forms of communication to the outside world, I worry not only for his health but his mental state … it frightens me how he’s doing inside.
“He’s now on a long journey until his release with no support from the Australian government at all, it seems like they’ve forgotten about him.
“With a 12-year sentence, he’ll be 82 when he is released ... I don’t believe I’ll ever see him alive, a free man. It’s effectively a death sentence.
“No communication of any sort, and now to make things even harder for us, moving him further away.
“My mother is handling as best she can. I know she misses him and would like him back as soon as possible.”
- Dennis Chau
Kham is a human rights advocate and political prisoner. It is unconscionable that he is imprisoned at all, let alone that he is completely cut off from his family and consular support, and denied necessary life saving medication.
Please help us get the Australian government to act to confirm Kham’s whereabouts, establish direct and consistent access and contact with his family, ensure he has his medication, and ultimately secure his release to reunite him with his family.
Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
Tweet using
Comment and like posts on this page so they appear in your news feed where others will see them.
Join the letter writing campaign to Federal MPs: https://m.facebook.com/103210378088939/posts/111082813968362/?d=n
In light of the disappearance of Kham, we are asking people to please write to their Federal MPs about this matter to urge them to act as a matter of urgency to resolve this situation.
LETTER WRITING
Please make sure you write to your Federal MP, not your State MP. It is a priority to write to your Member of the House of Representatives, but you can also write to Senators if you think they may be a good advocate for the issue. Details of how to find your Federal MP are below.
Members should be addressed as “Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs SURNAME” and Senators as “Dear Senator”. Please be polite, ensure you identify yourself in the letter and include your contact details, and provide some information about the matter so the recipient understands who you are writing about and why.
It is always best to write in your own words so MPs know you take this matter seriously, but a sample letter is included below in this post to assist understanding the issues and how to write, and can be modified if you are stuck. Please also feel free to contact the page directly if you need assistance or have any questions.
While we must continue to advocate for Kham’s release from prison because he is a political prisoner, the immediate priority is for the Australian government to ensure his safety via better advocacy with the Vietnamese authorities and support of him. Specifically, we would like the consulate to:
- establish his whereabouts directly via a visit or via a phone call in which they speak to him;
- ensure he has secure ongoing access to his medication, preferably through the consulate but can also be through his sister if need be;
- establish regular consular visitation either in person or speaking to him directly on the phone;
- work to ensure his sister can visit him and his family can have phone contact with him.
These should be emphasised in your letter.
IF you feel confident opening a discussion with your MP, please feel free to ask them specific questions (politely) or to ask that they phone you. However, the most important thing is that you show your support for Kham and that his situation is important to you.
BACKGROUND:
This excellent article by Ben Doherty at The Guardian has a lot of in depth information about Kham’s case. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/07/jailed-australian-democracy-activist-has-disappeared-inside-vietnams-prison-system
In terms of the current situation:
When Kham’s sister attempted to visit him at the prison in Ho Chi Minh City in early May, she was told he was no longer at the prison. After several weeks the Vietnamese authorities informed Australia that Kham had been moved to a prison in Ham Tan 3 hours away. There has been no direct contact with Kham since his sister’s last successful visit in February. The last consular access was in January and there has been no phone contact since his arrest. We are extremely concerned Australia has not directly confirmed Kham’s whereabouts and that there was no discussion about his move until after it happened.
Also of extreme concern is that Kham’s sister was last able to provide him his medication in February. Given his age and health issues, the medication is essential, and he has now been without it for almost four months. The medication is under professional advice from an Australian doctor. The Australian consulate has refused (without reason) to provide Kham’s medication to the Vietnamese authorities, and has not been able to ensure his sister can get it to him. It is imperative that Kham have his medication, and this needs to be rectified immediately.
FINDING YOUR FEDERAL MP
You can find your Federal MP at this link by entering your postcode or suburb in the search bar towards the bottom of the page. https://www.aph.gov.au/senators_and_members/guidelines_for_contacting_senators_and_members
This will take you to a list of your representatives. It is preferable to start with your Member of the House of Representatives, which will be the first name in the list, but you can also write to Senators. If you click on the name and then click the “Connect” Tab just underneath, it should provide you with the Member’s email address. If not, a google search should give you their website details or you can call the Electorate Office to get the appropriate email address.
Thank you for supporting Chau Van Kham.
Where is Chau Van Kham?
When Kham’s sister attempted to visit Kham to provide him with essential money, food and medication in early May, she was told he was no longer at the prison. It was weeks later, on 2 June, that the consulate and family were informed that Kham had been moved to another prison in Ham Tan, 3 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City.
The last consular access was in January and Kham’s sister’s last successful visit was in February. There has been no direct phone contact and the Vietnamese authorities have denied requests for this.
Where is he?
Kham’s family hold grave concerns for him given the lack of direct contact and his health issues.
Kham has now been without his essential medication for 4 months, and there is no guarantee on when either his sister or the consulate will be able to provide it to him.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/07/jailed-australian-democracy-activist-has-disappeared-inside-vietnams-prison-system
If you are on Twitter, please post using to raise awareness of Chau Van Kham’s situation.
The Australian government must act immediately to obtain direct contact with Kham and ensure his safety and work to secure his release.
Please also sign and share the petition to support Kham. https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
Chau Van Kham’s family has lost contact with him for nearly four months and fear the Australian government has ‘forgotten about him’
Chau Van Kham has been imprisoned in Vietnam for his support of Viet Tan. Viet Tan is recognised by the UN as “a peaceful organisation advocating for democratic reform”, and is properly registered in both Australia and the United States.
Elaine Pearson from Human Rights Watch identifies:
“[Kham and his associates] are the latest victims in a spiralling crackdown on dissent and free speech within Vietnam. They are among hundreds of political prisoners who are currently detained.
“There is no tolerance in Vietnam for anyone who calls for democracy or criticises the ruling Communist party.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/retired-australian-baker-loses-appeal-in-vietnam-on-controversial-financing-terrorism-charges
Countries such as Vietnam cannot be allowed to simply label organisations they don’t like as terrorist organisations to falsely justify detaining people. Australia, as a country that supports both Viet Tan’s existence and values the right to free political association, must not tolerate this. The Australian government must both strongly advocate against this generally, and work to secure Kham’s freedom from political detention as a priority.
Please sign the petition to support Kham’s fight for his freedom: https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
Judge tells Chau Van Kham his sentence of 12 years will stand despite trial being described as ‘a charade’
Chau Van Kham has been MOVED in the Vietnamese prison system, without the awareness of the Australian government or his family.
He was previously at a Detention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City. He is now 3 hours from Ho Chi Minh City at a prison in Ham Tan.
When Kham’s sister attempted to visit him at the prison in early May 2020, prison officials told her he was no longer there. Her last successful visit was in February and the last consular access was in January. Concerns were raised with the consulate in May, who did not confirm his whereabouts. Vietnamese authorities notified the consulate on 2 June that he had been moved on 1 June.
This raises serious questions. Why was his sister told he had been moved in May? Why did the Australian consulate not determine his whereabouts immediately? Why has the Australian government not secured proper channels of communication so the Vietnamese government communicate with them properly? Why did the Australian government not lobby to keep him near his family?
Kham 70 years old and is in ill health. His sister delivers essential medication to the prison, and he has now been without it for 3 months, which could have grave consequences. He is still without access to his medication, and it is now significantly more difficult for his sister to visit him.
The Australian government must work to ensure Kham has ongoing access to his medication, and to secure his safety and release. They must do more to open proper channels of communication with the Vietnamese authorities, lest they actually lose a citizen (as opposed to just lose track).
Please sign the petition to support Kham and please share as widely as possible: https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
Help release Australian human rights advocate Chau Van Kham from the Vietnamese Government
Chau Van Kham’s sentence of 12 years is effectively a death sentence given his age and ill health.
Kham is 70 years old, with prostate issues, back pain and cataracts, requiring medication and assistance to stand up. He has been hospitalized multiple times since his arrest.
His arrest and conviction lack legitimacy, with the indictment listing innocuous activities normal for someone supporting an organization. Kham was convicted for exercising his right to freedom of ideas and association and peaceful political dissent with Viet Tan.
His trial did not have a “semblance of due process”, with limited access to his lawyer to prepare a defence, handled in the space of a few hours with multiple other defendants, and family members not allowed in the courtroom.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/effectively-a-death-sentence-australian-retiree-imprisoned-in-vietnam-loses-final-appeal
Now that the legal process is over, the Australian government must act as a matter of urgency to secure Kham’s safety and release. Please sign the petition to support this: https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
The family of 70-year-old Chau Van Kham has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to do more to assist their father, who they fear will die in a Vietnamese prison.
Some background on Kham’s case.
Kham was arrested in January 2019, convicted in November 2019 and sentenced to 12 years, and had his conviction and sentence upheld on appeal in March 2020.
There are serious concerns about the validity of the charges, with the indictment listing a series of innocuous activities such as making travel arrangements, organising leaflets for protests, expanding Viet Tan’s network and writing articles. None of these amount to terrorism. Kham was exercising his right to freedom of ideas and association with a peaceful political organisation.
His trial did not meet fair trial standards. He was tried with multiple defendants in a hearing that lasted only a few hours. The evidence was not examined and he was unable to put on an adequate defence. Human Rights Watch has raised concerns that the verdict was “pre-determined”.
The Australian government must take a strong stance against these human rights violations and work to secure Kham and his associates’ release from prison where they are detained for political reasons.
For more information: https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/12/05/australia-press-release-vietnam-detainees
Please sign the petition to support Kham’s release and share this post to raise awareness of his situation. https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
(Sydney) – The Australian government should publicly and privately press the Vietnamese government to
Chau Van Kham is an Australian citizen imprisoned in Vietnam for his support of Viet Tan, a peaceful pro-democracy organisation.
Human rights organisations have raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the charges and fairness of the trial. He is a political prisoner, detained for expressing views contrary to those of the Vietnamese government.
This page is for anyone who supports Kham, and will be updated regularly with information and things you can do to support Kham. Please Like it to follow and get updates directly to your newsfeed. We also encourage you to share it and posts with your family and friends and learn about his case so you can advocate for him privately and on social media.
Please also sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/scott-morrison-prime-minister-scott-morrison-reunite-chau-van-kham-with-his-family
We call on the Australian government to strongly advocate for Kham’s release from Vietnam as a matter of urgency so he can be reunited with his family.
Help release Australian human rights advocate Chau Van Kham from the Vietnamese Government
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Free Chau Van Kham posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?
