London, 13.08.10 - Amnesty International has called on the United Nations to pay attention to what is happening in Vietnam and send a special rapporteur to investigate the state of freedom of opinion and expression, saying that 'The Vietnamese government must end its intimidation and attacks against Catholics and ensure protection against violence by state-sponsored groups,'

The organisation has documented events since last December when Catholics began peaceful demonstrations backing demands by the Diocese of Hanoi and the Redemptorists of Thai Ha for the return of confiscated Church property.