Hanoi (AsiaNews) – Increasingly the trial that Hanoi authorities are organising against Thai Ha Catholic parishioners is taking on political connotations. Their alleged crime is to have protested in favour of the return of land belonging to their parish that was seized by the state. However, not only did the authorities prevent two of the accused from seeing their attorneys, but they are making sure that it is very difficult for anyone to attend the proceedings.
First of all, there is the date. It has been known for some time that the trail is to start on 5 December, the same day when the new auxiliary bishop of the capital, Mgr Chu Van Minh, is set to be consecrated.
Local priests will be involved in the cathedral rather than attend the trial. Similarly, tradition dictates that the laity, especially the most involved, will take part in great numbers in the ceremony and thus, like the priests, will not be able to go to the courthouse.
But this is not all. Under Vietnamese law trials are public unless the dignity of the plaintiff is at stake, which is not the case.
According to the Églises d’Asie, the lawyer for the accused, Le Tran Luat, has said that the accused have been verbally informed that anyone who wants to attend the trial must submit a written request. This is a patent violation of the principle of open trial and reflects a desire to limit the number of those present. The need to present a written request means that the authorities will be able to know who wants to attend, which is a clear attempt at intimidation.
And last but not least. The authorities have announced that the trial will not take place in the Hanoi Courthouse but rather on the fourth floor of the People’s Committee building (city hall) in Hoàng Cau Street, in Dong Da district.
On 15 November a delegate from the People’s Committee visited the Redemptorists’ convent, who are responsible for Thai Ha parish, for an urgent meeting. But it was all a diversionary manoeuvre since “hundreds of people had gathered to attack the chapel.”
