Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang received Ms. Tran To Nga

On November 12, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Le Thi Thu Hang received Ms. Tran To Nga, a French expatriate.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang received Ms. Tran To Nga

At the meeting, Ms. Tran To Nga reported to the Deputy Minister and Head of the Department about her activities in the journey to seek justice for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. Ms. Nga said that although on August 22, the Paris Court of Appeals issued a ruling rejecting her lawsuit against 14 companies that supplied Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, she affirmed that she would continue to persevere in pursuing the lawsuit and send the file to the Supreme Court because this was not a fight for justice for her personally, but also for millions of other victims.

Ms. Tran To Nga sincerely thanks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for always creating favorable conditions and accompanying her in raising her voice and the legitimate demands of Agent Orange/dioxin victims; hopes that the authorities will continue to care for and support her, and at the same time promote information and propaganda to further raise the awareness of the people in the country about the struggle to find justice for Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims.

In the intimate and friendly atmosphere of the reception, Deputy Minister and Director Le Thi Thu Hang highly appreciated Ms. Nga's perseverance and courage throughout the time she pursued the lawsuit to seek justice for the victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. Ms. Nga's efforts and dedication are an example of the tireless struggle for peace and justice for the victims and their families who are struggling every day, every hour with the pain caused by the consequences of Agent Orange.

Reception scene

The Deputy Minister and Chairman said that although the war is over, the severe consequences still have a profound impact on the country and people of Vietnam, including the long-term and serious consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin. The Deputy Minister and Chairman affirmed that on the arduous journey to seek justice for the victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, Ms. Nga and her colleagues always have the companionship and support from the homeland; believing that the Vietnamese community abroad and friends who love justice around the world always support her and the victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

Also at the meeting, Deputy Minister and Head of the Department Le Thi Thu Hang acknowledged some of her opinions and proposals and asked relevant units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss with agencies to find solutions.

Ms. Tran To Nga (born in 1942 in Soc Trang) used to be a reporter and was exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin. She settled in France and began her journey to seek justice for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin from 2009 until now.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang took a souvenir photo with Ms. Tran To Nga

In May 2009, she officially sued the chemical companies that produced and supplied Agent Orange/dioxin to the US military for use during the Vietnam War. However, the Ervy Criminal Court, France (first instance) at the May 2021 trial dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that it did not have jurisdiction to decide a case related to the wartime actions of the US government. On August 22, 2024, the Paris Court of Appeal issued a similar ruling to the Court of First Instance, dismissing her petition on the grounds that the Court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case. Ms. Nga said she would continue to appeal to the Supreme Court of Cassation. Since 2009, Ms. Nga has worked tirelessly for the goal of demanding justice for all Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin with a strong belief that justice will surely prevail.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thu-truong-le-thi-thu-hang-tiep-ba-tran-to-nga-19624111307482977.htm