October 3, 2012
Long prison terms for bloggers
On 25 September 2012 – Three Vietnamese bloggers were convicted to long prison sentences on Monday, 24 September, because of their peaceful activism. The most renowned, Nguyen Van Hai, got 12 years in prison. His crime: he criticized the authorities and demanded increased freedom of expression. Civil Rights Defenders urges the international community to increase the […]
October 3, 2012
Vietnam: A dark week for freedom of expression
by Defend the Defenders • Chu Manh Son, Dau Van Duong, Nguyen Van Hai (Dieu Cay), Phan Thanh Hai (AnhBaSaigon), Ta Phong Tan, Tran Huu Duc
On 27 Sep, 2012 – In an unrelenting campaign against freedom of expression, six social activists were dealt severe prison terms this week following hurried trials. Three dissident bloggers and three Catholic activists were convicted under Article 88 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code, a vague and overly broad provision that is often abused by the authorities to prevent […]