Pham Hong Son

Medical doctor and dissident writer Pham Hong Son (b. 1967) was released on 3 August 2006, in a general amnesty to mark Vietnam’s National Day on 2 September. Dr Pham was arrested on 27 March, 2002, on charges of espionage after police searched his home, confiscated his computer and several documents, and subjected him to four days’ interrogation. On 18 June, 2003, he was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment (reduced on appeal to five years plus three years in "administrative detention" or house arrest) by the Hanoi People’s Court .

Dr Pham’s espionage conviction was related to his pro-democracy activities, including using email to “translate and send anti-Party documents and anti-government documents” to colleagues abroad. He was held in solitary confinement at Yen Dinh Labour Camp in Thanh Hoa province, central Vietnam. Dr Pham’s health deteriorated markedly in prison. His wife reported in August 2004 that he was suffering from an inguinal hernia for which he did not receive adequate medical treatment. The condition was said to require an operation, which if not quickly treated could lead to fatal complications. In July 2005 he was reported to be coughing blood. In February 2006 he was again reported to be seriously ill and in urgent need of medical treatment.

(Information courtesy of PEN International and The Committee on Human Rights)