Advocates for the rights of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom ethnic group began pushing the Australian government for a solution to alleged rights abuses in Vietnam Tuesday.
A delegation of advocates met with Australian Labor Party legislator Chris Bowen to plead for an intervention in Vietnam.
Rights workers say abuses in Vietnam have increased since the country joined the World Trade Organization in January, with advocates harassed and jailed. On Tuesday Vietnam sentenced a pro-democracy activist to five years in prison, the sixth to be jailed in a week.
Kampuchea Krom monks reportedly have been detained along with scores of other laymen.
Bowen promised to take the issue to Australia's parliament, Khmer Kampuchea Krom advocate Chey Samnang said.