Nguyen Van Thuan is a 61-year-old prisoner of conscience prosecuted on political charges relating to his work with the Cao Trao Nhan Ban (High Tide of Humanism) movement, and the group known as Dien Tu Do (Freedom Forum). He is a writer, poet and formerly a teacher and journalist. He is serving a 12 year prison sentence. In mid-February 1994 he suffered a stroke resulting in hemiplegia, and although admitted to hospital, has been given only 30 days in which to convalesce. There is concern for his future well-being if he is returned to Thuan Hai prison camp in Ham-Tan City, where he is likely to receive very little medical attention. Amnesty International is calling urgently for his unconditional release.
