Dan Que Nguyen

Profession: Physician

Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, a Vietnamese endocrinologist, was arrested for his non-violent criticism of Vietnamese authorities. Dr. Que, a graduate of Saigon medical school, was dismissed from his post as Director of Cho-Ray Hospital in 1978 for his criticism of Vietnam's health care policies. Also in 1978, he was accused of "rebelling against the regime," and detained for ten years in prison without trial. Dr. Que was released from prison in 1988 and rearrested in 1990 for issuing an appeal to individuals and organizations in Vietnam calling for freedom, democracy, and political pluralism in that country. He was sentenced to twenty years hard labor to be followed by five-years house arrest. Dr. Que was released in an amnesty in 1998. Dr. Nguyen Dan Que lives in Hanoi, where he continues to advocate for democracy in Vietnam. Dr. Que was honored by the AAAS Science and Human Rights Program at the 1996 Annual Meeting.