URGENT: Mass prisoner release in Vietnam

Demand amnesty for ALL prisoners of conscience BEFORE Sept. 2.

Dear Tracy, On this Wednesday, Sept. 2, Vietnam is expected to release as many as 17,000 prisoners in an act of amnesty marking its National Day. Will human rights activist Father Nguyen Van Ly be among them? Or social justice blogger Ta Phong Tan? Or entrepreneur and blogger Tran Huynh Duy Thuc? For the families of these peaceful, unjustly imprisoned human rights defenders, and ALL prisoners of conscience in Vietnam, speak up today and make that answer, YES! Stand with Amnesty International members around the world in urging the release of ALL prisoners of conscience in the Sept. 2 mass prisoner amnesty in Vietnam. These imprisoned activists are being held in harsh conditions and serving sentences between two years and LIFE - all for speaking out for peace and justice! Many are in poor health. Father Nguyen Van Ly is a 69-year-old Catholic priest who has spent around 20 years in prison, detained for calling for respect for human rights and criticizing policies on religion. He suffered a stroke in prison and is in declining health. Ta Phong Tan is a co-founder of the Free Journalists' Club of Vietnam. She's serving a 10-year prison sentence and has been on hunger strike at least three times in protest of the guards' harsh treatment of her and other political prisoners. Tran Huynh Duy Thuc is an entrepreneur and blogger who advocates for economic and social reform and respect for human rights. He is serving a 16-year sentence for "attempting to overthrow" the state. He claims he was tortured into confessing. Help set these human rights defenders free. Join Amnesty RIGHT NOW to ratchet up the pressure on the Vietnamese government and secure the release of ALL prisoners of conscience. This is the largest expected prisoner release in Vietnam's history. It MUST NOT exclude prisoners of conscience. These men and women have done nothing more than peacefully exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Please act now. These prisoners have suffered long enough. This mass prisoner release is our best shot at securing their release. Thank you for taking action today. Your activism is deeply appreciated. In peace, Jasmine Heiss Senior Campaigner Amnesty International USA