Mr. Speaker, on February 5, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said: "In terms of international relations, human rights may be considered a fundamental issue that is an immediate element of any relationship regardless of what else is involved".
For three years now, Tran Trieu Quan has been a prisoner in Vietnam in a matter of fraud in which he is the victim rather than the perpetrator. The policy of effective influence based on dialogue and encouragement has not produced any of the results we might expect.
The government continues to prefer a trade approach to international relations combined with a muted human rights policy. In November 1994, during his trip to Asia, the Prime Minister said: "-I prefer opening markets and trading; the walls will eventually come down".
In the prison where he has been languishing for more than three year, Tran Trieu Quan is still waiting for the walls to crack and let in the light of day. When will the government decide to speak up?