Attorney Le Quoc Quan

"Promoting Democracy in Vietnam: The Role of Civil Society"


A lawyer by training, Mr. Le Quoc Quan has worked for the past seven years as a local governance consultant to the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, UNDP, and the Swedish International Development Agency. An active participant in Vietnam's struggle for democracy, he has been vocal in his defense of religious freedom and political pluralism, both as a law student and legal advocate, and in his writings for the BBC and several Vietnamese newspapers. He is founder of Vietnam Solutions, a firm that provides consulting services on local governance, poverty reduction, and grassroots democracy for development projects in Vietnam. During his fellowship, Mr. Quan is examining the role of civil society in countries that have made a successful democratic transition. He plans to write an article on how civil society can contribute to democracy in Vietnam. At this time, Le Quoc Quan's whereabouts are unknown, and there are no public charges against him.

"It is a deep insult to the United States that the Vietnamese regime would harass someone in this way who has just participated in a citizen exchange program supported by the US Congress and Department of State," said NED President Carl Gershman. "Le Quoc Quan is someone who is optimistic about the future of his country, who is most concerned about improving the lives of his fellow citizens, and who is nothing if not a Vietnamese patriot."

The National Endowment for Democracy urges the government of Vietnam to immediately make known the whereabouts of Le Quoc Quan; to make public any charges against him; to allow his family access to visit him; to treat him according to international human rights standards; and to release him.

Concerned individuals and organizations who wish to take action are urged to register a protest directly with the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, DC.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VIETNAMESE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON

Ambassador H.E. Nguyen Tam Chien. (202) 861 0737
Minister Counselor (Political): Mr. DANG Dinh Quy (202) 861 0737 x230.
Minister Counselor - Deputy Chief of Mission: Mr. VU Dang Dzung (202) 861 0737 x 223.
Minister Counselor (Congressional Liaison): Ms. NGUYEN Nguyet Nga (202) 861 0737 x 225
Counselor (Political): Mr. NGUYEN Van Trung (202) 861 0737 x335
Embassy of Vietnam in the United States
1233 20th St NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. 202.861.0737Fax 202.861.0917
info@vietnamembassy.us - consular@vietnamembassy.us
www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/

(Source: http://www.ned.org/)