WASHINGTON – The wife of a well-known Vietnamese human rights activist who was beaten and imprisoned by authorities has made an appeal at a US congressional hearing for the unconditional release of her husband Nguyen Van Dai.

Vu Minh Khanh’s testimonial at the hearing on political prisoners in Vietnam comes ahead of a planned visit to the authoritarian state by United States President Barack Obama at the end of this month.

It’s believed over 100 political prisoners are being detained in the country.

“The Administration should make clear to Vietnam’s Communist leaders that the further expansion of trade and security partnerships are unacceptable until there is significant, verifiable, and irreversible improvements in human rights in Vietnam,” Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey told the hearing.

He called for Obama to demand the immediate release of Mr Nguyen and other prisoners of conscience.

“Unfortunately, I have little faith that the Administration will deliver such a message as they seem eager to proceed with lucrative trade deals and on lifting the ban on lethal arms sales to Vietnam. Not imposing conditions on such generous benefits is short-sighted, misguided, and fails to advance long-term US interests,” Rep. Smith said.

“The American people should not have to subsidise torture or underwrite the jailing of journalists, religious leaders, labour activists, or advocates of democracy or Internet freedom.”

Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Vu said her husband was arrested in December after leaving his home to meet with a delegation from the European Union who were in Vietnam for the annual EU-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue.

She said her husband faces between 3 to 20 years of imprisonment.

“The arrest and continued detention of my husband have to be considered as arbitrary under international human rights laws which Vietnam must comply with and especially while Vietnam is a member of the UN Human Rights Council,” Ms Vu testified.

“My husband has worked hard to protect human rights and these activities cannot possibly be seen as criminal.”