Vietnam: Dissident writers sentenced
Published: October 20, 2009
English PEN is outraged by the sentences handed down to nine dissident writers in recent days for 'spreading propaganda' against the government. The sentences range from two to six years. All were first detained in September 2008, and include the well known novelist and journalist Nguyen Xuan Ngia, leader of the banned pro-democracy group Bloc 8406, and editor of the underground democracy journal To Quoc (Fatherland).
Writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, poet Nguyen Van Tinh, human rights defender Nguyen Kim Nhan, poet Nguyen Van Tuc, student and internet writer Ngo Quynh, and writer Nguyen Manh Son were charged with conducting anti-government propaganda under article 88 of Vietnam's penal code for their pro-democracy writings and activities, in particular their membership of the banned pro-democracy group Bloc 8406. They were convicted to sentences ranging from two to six years following a two-day trial in Hanoi that concluded on 9 October. In 2006, Bloc 8406, a coalition of political parties and organisations campaigning for political reform, created the "Manifesto on Freedom and Democracy in Vietnam". The group's name refers to the date that the manifesto was created. Originally signed by 118 dissidents, the number of signatories grew into the thousands. Most notable is Nguyen Van Ly, a priest and writer arrested in February 2007 and who was sentenced to eight years for his involvement in Bloc 8406.
The six writers sentenced on 9 October 2009 are amongst dozens of activists to have been arrested since September 2008 as part of an ongoing crackdown on peaceful dissent. The group's leader, writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, received the heaviest sentence. The indictment, dated 3 July 2009, cited fifty-seven pieces written by Nguyen Xuan Nghia from 2007 until his arrest in 2008, including poetry, literature, short stories and articles, which allegedly sought to "insult the Communist Party of Vietnam, distort the situation of the country, slander and disgrace the country's leaders, demand a pluralistic and multiparty system ... and incite and attract other people into the opposition movement."
For further information go to:
IFEX alerts and reports on freedom of expression in Vietnam
For the BBC's country profile
Please send appeals:
- Expressing alarm at the ongoing crackdown on dissident in Vietnam, in which at least nine writers have been handed down lengthy prison sentences for their peaceful dissident writings and activities;
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for the peaceful exercise of their right to free expression, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a signatory.
Appeals to be sent to:
President, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
His Excellency Nguyên Minh Triêt
C/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Please note that there are no fax numbers available for the Vietnamese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for Vietnam in your country to forward your appeals. It would also be advantageous to ask your country's diplomatic representatives in Vietnam to intervene in the case.
Vietnamese Embassy, London, United Kingdom
His Excellency Tran Quang Hoan
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
12 - 14 Victoria Road
W8 5RD
United Kingdom
British Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam
His Excellency Mr Mark Kent
Central Building
4th floor
31 Hai Ba Trung
Hanoi
Vietnam
Fax: ( 84) (4)3936 0561 (for Embassy in general)
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