Hanoi: The United States lodged an official protest with the Vietnamese government over a police assault on its diplomat, who monitors human rights issues, as he was trying to visit a dissident priest. Michael W Michalak, the United States ambassador to Vietnam, expressed grave concerns over the assault on diplomat Christian Marchant.
The attack took place on Wednesday in Hue. The spokesman for US embassy in Hanoi declined to provide details. But a radio report stated that Marchant had been wrestled to the ground outside the home of the Rev. Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, a Roman Catholic priest being held under house arrest as part of a 2007 conviction on accusations of undermining the government.
A news agency reported that the police had repeatedly closed a car door on Marchant’s legs.
Marcnah is known among fellow diplomats as an ardent advocate of dissident rights and religious freedoms in Vietnam. He was recently chosen to receive the Human Rights and Democracy Award that the State Department presents to an embassy officer.
A statement by Human Rights Watch termed the attack on Marchant as police brutality in Vietnam.
“It’s clear that Vietnam’s police are out of control,” said Phil Robertson, the deputy director of the Asian division of Human Rights Watch.
“They beat and sometimes kill suspects in detention,” Mr. Robertson said. “They brutalise dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists. They assault citizens over minor traffic violations.”
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription