Ngo Ba Thanh represented the non-aligned "third force" during the Vietnam War. She was the leader of a women's peace group and a vocal critic of the United States support of the Thieu regime. In September 197, she was arrested. tries, and convicted for "activities harmful to the national security." After a hunger strike by Thanh in April 1973, authorities said they would release her to North Vietnam but, she refused because she wanted to stay in Saigon, working for peace. An international campaign decided to help her and forced her release in September 1973. On that same year in October she survived an attempt on her life. Currently, Ngo Ba Thanh is a member of the Vietnamese assembly where she serves since 1976. She is an expert in international law and looks forward to using Vietnam's new constitution to promote democratic change.