1990-1998 Imprisonment
Que formed a new pro-democracy group following his arrest called the High Tide of Humanism Movement (Vietnamese: Cao Tran Nhan Ban). On 14 June 1990, he was arrested again. On 29 November 1991, he was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for treason after sending documents to Amnesty International; according to the Vietnamese national press agency, "reactionary forces used them to denigrate Vietnam". Que's family and human rights groups reported that he was assigned to hard labor despite declining health. Vietnam's foreign ministry denied the statement.
In April 1991, U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey attempted repeatedly to meet with Que, but was refused; U.S. Senator Charles S. Robb, whose district included Que's brother, was blocked by the Vietnamese government from meeting with Que to bring him medicine in August 1993. Que's case was also taken up by the European Parliament, Amnesty International, and France.
Que was released in a 1998 general amnesty that included fellow dissident Doan Viet Hoat. Both Que and Hoat were offered resettlement in the United States on the condition that they leave the country. Que refused, stating that he would rather stay in prison than be forced into exile.
Read more about this topic: Nguyen Dan Que
Famous quotes containing the word imprisonment:
“... imprisonment itself, entailing loss of liberty, loss of citizenship, separation from family and loved ones, is punishment enough for most individuals, no matter how favorable the circumstances under which the time is passed.”
—Mary B. Harris (1874–1957)