Moments after handing over to Thich Quang Do the diploma for the Rafto Human Rights Prize for 2006, the diploma that Quang Do was not allowed to come to Bergen last November to receive, Therese Jebsen, right, of the Rafto Foundation and interpreter Kieu Tran was arrested in Saigon this morning. -This arrest makes me ashamed and humiliated for my country and people, said Quang Do. (15-MAR-07)

Based also on the press release issued early this morning by the official information service of Vien Hoa Dao, Unified Buddhist church of Vietnam, headquarters in Paris, this article has been written by Gunta Venge of the Rafto Human Rights House in Bergen. It has been edited and prepared for publication by HRHF / Niels Jacob Harbitz. 

Kieu Tran 100.jpgAt 9.00 (Vietnam time) this morning, Thursday 15th March, Therese Jebsen, Rafto Foundation and interpreter Ms Kieu Tran, left, was arrested as they came to visit Venerable Thich Quang Do, Deputy leader of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) at the Thanh Minh Zen Monastery in Saigon where he is under house arrest.

Thich Quang Do cropped 100.jpgArrested and taken away for interrogation
As the two stepped inside the Monastery’s courtyard, followed by a Norwegian television team, five security officials, one wearing police uniform, the others in plain clothes, arrived immediately and arrested them. Thich Quang Do, right, protested that they were breaking Vietnam’s traditional culture of hospitality, and insisted that police let him talk with Jebsen. But they refused, and took Jebsen away in the police car immediately with the other two people. They said they were taking them to the police Station in the 15th Ward (Phu Nhuan).

Concern for interpreter´s security
Jebsen and Tran were later released. The latest news received from Jebsen through a text message to the Rafto Foundation secretariat is that she is fine. Tran, however, has been asked to come back to the police station later today. The Rafto Foundation is concerned about her security. Tran, a Norwegian citizen, has assisted Jebsen as an interpreter in Vietnam. The Rafto Foundation has contacted Norway’s ambassador to Vietnam. The embassy is informed about the situation, is engaged in the case, and has expressed concern about Tran´s security.

Arne Lynngard 2 100.jpgRafto chairman refused entry
The Rafto Foundation awarded the 2006 Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize to Venerable Thich Quang Do, left. Quang Do was not allowed to travel to Norway to receive the prize last November. Arne Liljedahl Lynngård, left, Chairman of the Rafto Foundation, asked to visit Vietnam in February to hand Thich Quang Do the Rafto diploma in person and meet the Vietnamese government in a spirit of dialogue. The Vietnamese government refused, stating that Mr. Lynngård was not welcome in Vietnam. Just last week, Norwegian diplomats raised the issue again with the Vietnamese authorities in Hanoi, but Vietnam refused to change its position.

Thich Quang Do 2.jpg-I am ashamed
Announcing the incident by telephone to Unified Buddhist church of Vietnam (UBCV) spokesman Vo Van Ai this morning, Venerable Thich Quang Do, left, said: “The arrest of Therese Jebsen makes me ashamed for my country and my people. Under the Communist regime, 80 million Vietnamese people suffer such humiliations and harassments every day. Now Hanoi subjects foreign visitors to the same insufferable treatment. I am shocked, outraged and deeply ashamed for the people of Vietnam”.

Updates on the case will be published at our website www.rafto.no continuously.

For any other information please contact
Mr. Arne Liljedahl Lynngård, chairman of the Rafto Foundation
Arne@bts.no or phone +47 95 15 22 90

OR
Secretariat at the Rafto Foundation
secretariat@rafto.no or phone +47 55 21 09 50 / +47 90 67 36 78