Letter to Nguyen Tuong Van

Written by Stuart Highway in Darwin Prison on Thursday the 10th November 2005

Dear Nguyen Tuong Van

I am a member of a Darwin-based drug law reform organisation called Network Against Prohibition. Since March 2002 we have been campaigning for the repeal of all laws against drugs. Our goal is the relegalisation of all drugs which are currently illicit, in order to reduce to a minimum drug-related harm in communities worldwide. We believe that far more harm is done to drug users and society in general by the drug laws than by the drugs themselves.

I am currently serving a 3 month sentence for a conviction of Unlawfully Damage Property as a result of damage done to police vehicles at one of our community rallies in Darwin in October 2002.

I have seen the media coverage of the campaign to save you from execution, and seen your mother plead for your life to be spared.

I feel that the intervention of powerful figures such as John Howard could result in you being brought back home to serve a life sentence in Melbourne, leaving the way open for other options. However, the political will has been lacking.

Therefore, I'm going to write to John Howard asking him to make further, more serious representations to the Singapore Government on your behalf. As you are an Australian citizen that's the least he could do.

As well, I extend a hand of solidarity, as one prisoner of the war on drugs (POWD) to another, through the bars and across the sea.

Solidarity, brother.

Stuart Highway

You can send messages of solidarity and support to Nguyen Tuong Van at the following address:

Condemned Prisoner C856 Nguyen Tuong Van
Cluster Registry, Changi Prison
982 Upper Changi Road
Singapore 507709

For more information about Van's case, click here.