Activists at the trial on April 5, 2018
Defend the Defenders, April 6, 2018
Vietnam’s communist government has been slammed by many foreign countries and international human rights organizations after jailing six pro-democracy activists on alleged subversion under Article 79 of the country’s 1999 Penal Code.
Few hours after the trialof prominent human rights attorney Nguyen Van Dai, Protestant pastor Nguyen Trung Ton, engineer Pham Van Troi, enterpreneur Nguyen Bac Truyen, veteran journalist and labor activist Truong Minh Duc and English teacher Le Thu Ha in which the People’s Court of Hanoi sentenced them to a total 66 years in prison and 17 years under probation after they complete the imprisonments, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Maja Kocijancic of the European Union (EU) said the conviction and sentences of the six human rights defenders “as part of an extensive enforcement of the national security provisions of the Penal Code continues the negative trend of prosecuting and sentencing human rights activists and bloggers in Vietnam.”
In the statement, the Spokesperson said the imprisoned activists “have peacefully advocated the promotion and protection of human rights as guaranteed by the Vietnamese Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” adding their sentences are in direct breach of these international obligations, which Vietnam has itself signed up to, and which the European Union expects full respect for.
The official also pledged to continue to monitor and work with the authorities and all relevant stakeholders to improve the human rights situation in Vietnam.
On the same day, Spokesperson Heather Nauert of the US Department of State issued a press releasesaying the US is “deeply troubled that a Vietnamese court has convicted and sentenced peaceful activists Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thu Ha, Pham Van Troi, Nguyen Trung Ton, Nguyen Bac Truyen and Truong Minh Duc to harsh prison sentences under the vague charge of “activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration.”
Noting that individuals have the right to the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, both online and offline, the spokesperson said the US is deeply concerned by the Vietnamese government’s efforts to restrict these rights, through a disturbing trend of increased arrests, convictions, and harsh sentences of peaceful activists.
The US calls on Vietnam to release all prisoners of conscience immediately, and to allow all individuals in Vietnam to express their views freely and assemble peacefully without fear of retribution, the official said.
The official also urges the Vietnamese government to ensure its actions and laws, including the Penal Code, are consistent with the human rights provisions of Vietnam’s Constitution, and Vietnam’s international obligations and commitments.
On April 6, German Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid Dr. Bärbel Kofler issued a statement, saying the convictions of the six activists members of the unsanctioned Brotherhood for Democracy is a great concern. She expressed her concern about the lack of rule of law in the investigation and the trial.
The Federal Government of Germany, members of parliament, numerous German and international organizations and civil society actors are campaigning for the release of these activists, the Commissioner said, adding incumbent German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in his visit to Vietnam in October 2016 on his capacity of foreign minister, campaigned for release of Mr. Nguyen Van Dai.
In his press release on April 6, Minister Harriett Baldwin of the Foreign Office said the British Government is deeply concerned by the conviction of six Vietnamese activists on Thursday and Vietnam should not criminalize peaceful expression of views.
On Thursday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a statement urging Vietnam’s partners to press for an end to the government’s intolerable current crackdown. The trial of the six activists on the same day was exceptional in the seemingly endless series of trials of citizen-journalists in Vietnam because of the unprecedented severity of the sentences, the RSF said.
“The only crime committed by these Brotherhood for Democracy members was posting articles calling for respect for human rights in Vietnam. The severity of the sentences has only one explanation – it was meant to intimidate those who dare to raise issues in the public interest,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.
As a result of this unprecedented crackdown, Vietnam has lost all credibility on the international stage and its partners must draw the unavoidable conclusions” he noted.
RSF urges EU member countries to veto the free trade agreement with Vietnam that was supposed to be approved in 2018. It calls on the US to raise human rights issues in trade talks with Vietnam in the coming weeks to ensure respect for press freedom.
Prior to the Thursday’s trial, Human Rights Watch urges Vietnam to drop all charges against the six activists and release them immediately
“The only crime that these activists have committed is to campaign tirelessly for democracy and defend victims of human rights abuses,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “The Vietnamese government should thank them for their efforts to improve the country instead of arresting and putting them on trial.”
The six jailed activists are listed as prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International. Earlier this week, the London-based human rights organization announced that Vietnam is holding at least 97 prisoners of conscience.
One day before the first-instance hearing, 46 Vietnamese civil organizations and hundreds of activists issued a joint statement requesting the Vietnamese government to release the jailed activists immediately and uncondictionally.
Height Insoles: Hi, I do believe this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon …
http://fishinglovers.net: Appreciate you sharing, great post.Thanks Again. Keep writi…
Achilles Pain causes: Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this site, as i w…
April 6, 2018
Vietnam Condemned Internationally After Imprisoning Six Pro-democracy Activists
by Nhan Quyen • [Human Rights]
Activists at the trial on April 5, 2018
Defend the Defenders, April 6, 2018
Vietnam’s communist government has been slammed by many foreign countries and international human rights organizations after jailing six pro-democracy activists on alleged subversion under Article 79 of the country’s 1999 Penal Code.
Few hours after the trialof prominent human rights attorney Nguyen Van Dai, Protestant pastor Nguyen Trung Ton, engineer Pham Van Troi, enterpreneur Nguyen Bac Truyen, veteran journalist and labor activist Truong Minh Duc and English teacher Le Thu Ha in which the People’s Court of Hanoi sentenced them to a total 66 years in prison and 17 years under probation after they complete the imprisonments, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Maja Kocijancic of the European Union (EU) said the conviction and sentences of the six human rights defenders “as part of an extensive enforcement of the national security provisions of the Penal Code continues the negative trend of prosecuting and sentencing human rights activists and bloggers in Vietnam.”
In the statement, the Spokesperson said the imprisoned activists “have peacefully advocated the promotion and protection of human rights as guaranteed by the Vietnamese Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” adding their sentences are in direct breach of these international obligations, which Vietnam has itself signed up to, and which the European Union expects full respect for.
The official also pledged to continue to monitor and work with the authorities and all relevant stakeholders to improve the human rights situation in Vietnam.
On the same day, Spokesperson Heather Nauert of the US Department of State issued a press releasesaying the US is “deeply troubled that a Vietnamese court has convicted and sentenced peaceful activists Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thu Ha, Pham Van Troi, Nguyen Trung Ton, Nguyen Bac Truyen and Truong Minh Duc to harsh prison sentences under the vague charge of “activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration.”
Noting that individuals have the right to the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, both online and offline, the spokesperson said the US is deeply concerned by the Vietnamese government’s efforts to restrict these rights, through a disturbing trend of increased arrests, convictions, and harsh sentences of peaceful activists.
The US calls on Vietnam to release all prisoners of conscience immediately, and to allow all individuals in Vietnam to express their views freely and assemble peacefully without fear of retribution, the official said.
The official also urges the Vietnamese government to ensure its actions and laws, including the Penal Code, are consistent with the human rights provisions of Vietnam’s Constitution, and Vietnam’s international obligations and commitments.
On April 6, German Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid Dr. Bärbel Kofler issued a statement, saying the convictions of the six activists members of the unsanctioned Brotherhood for Democracy is a great concern. She expressed her concern about the lack of rule of law in the investigation and the trial.
The Federal Government of Germany, members of parliament, numerous German and international organizations and civil society actors are campaigning for the release of these activists, the Commissioner said, adding incumbent German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in his visit to Vietnam in October 2016 on his capacity of foreign minister, campaigned for release of Mr. Nguyen Van Dai.
In his press release on April 6, Minister Harriett Baldwin of the Foreign Office said the British Government is deeply concerned by the conviction of six Vietnamese activists on Thursday and Vietnam should not criminalize peaceful expression of views.
On Thursday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a statement urging Vietnam’s partners to press for an end to the government’s intolerable current crackdown. The trial of the six activists on the same day was exceptional in the seemingly endless series of trials of citizen-journalists in Vietnam because of the unprecedented severity of the sentences, the RSF said.
“The only crime committed by these Brotherhood for Democracy members was posting articles calling for respect for human rights in Vietnam. The severity of the sentences has only one explanation – it was meant to intimidate those who dare to raise issues in the public interest,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.
As a result of this unprecedented crackdown, Vietnam has lost all credibility on the international stage and its partners must draw the unavoidable conclusions” he noted.
RSF urges EU member countries to veto the free trade agreement with Vietnam that was supposed to be approved in 2018. It calls on the US to raise human rights issues in trade talks with Vietnam in the coming weeks to ensure respect for press freedom.
Prior to the Thursday’s trial, Human Rights Watch urges Vietnam to drop all charges against the six activists and release them immediately
“The only crime that these activists have committed is to campaign tirelessly for democracy and defend victims of human rights abuses,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “The Vietnamese government should thank them for their efforts to improve the country instead of arresting and putting them on trial.”
The six jailed activists are listed as prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International. Earlier this week, the London-based human rights organization announced that Vietnam is holding at least 97 prisoners of conscience.
One day before the first-instance hearing, 46 Vietnamese civil organizations and hundreds of activists issued a joint statement requesting the Vietnamese government to release the jailed activists immediately and uncondictionally.