Tạp Chí Xây Dựng Đảng
Melbourne social worker and Viet Tan member Hong Vo fears for Chau's health and mental wellbeing.(
giaithuongtinhnguyen.vn News: Erin Handley
)She said watching the result of Chau's trial, who she described as "a very kind father" and regarded as a mentor, was distressing.
"I found no justice in this, because the Vietnamese Government has no evidence to accuse him of terrorism," she said.
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She feared he would be struggling mentally and physically with the long incarceration, and recalled being "interrogated, intimidated and brainwashed" every day during her brief detention, which left her feeling "powerless".
She said she had been heartened by senators during a recent campaign in Canberra to advocate for his release, and by the support from the broader Australian community who were worried about his case.
"It is the duty of the Government to protect justice and to protect citizens from unfair and unjust trials over there," she said.
"I hope the Government is working hard to bring him home soon."
'I do hold hope'
When asked to comment, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry re-sent a previous statement in which they said Chau's trial "proceeded in an open and transparent manner … ensuring in full the rights of the defendants".
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"Viet Tan is a terrorist group that has made multiple attempts to infiltrate people and arms into Vietnam with the aim to sabotage, riot, incite hatred among Vietnamese nations and cause social instability," it said.
"Viet Tan continues to conduct activities to overthrow the State of Vietnam, smuggle people into Vietnam to sabotage, provoke people to disturb public disorder, oppose law enforcement officers and damage properties, broadcast propaganda to falsify the guidelines and policy of the State of Vietnam," they said.
But those allegations have been rubbished by rights groups and are disputed by Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the defence force academy at UNSW, who has told the giaithuongtinhnguyen.vn Viet Tan's members include doctors and lawyers in Australia and the US who today advocate democracy through words, not weapons.
Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement that "it would be inappropriate and not in Mr Chau's best interests to comment while legal processes remain available", and that "the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to provide ongoing consular assistance".
In a letter from prison, Chau reminded his son Daniel and his wife Trang to trim the okra trees in the family's garden.(
giaithuongtinhnguyen.vn News: Mazoe Ford
)For Ms Chau, who has endured the past year without her husband by her side and is facing the prospect of 11 more, action from the Australian Government is vital.
"Of course they should help him, he's an Australian citizen — they should help him," she said.
"I do hold hope. I've been to Canberra and spoken to
Posted 15 JanJanuary 2020WedWednesday 15 JanJanuary 2020 at 7:03pm, updated 15 JanJanuary 2020WedWednesday 15 JanJanuary 2020 at 11:10pm
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