VIETNAM: Another writer, Lu Van Bay, sentenced in crackdown on freedom of expression — 29.09.2011
Sydney PEN is deeply concerned about the four-year sentence handed down to activist and Internet writer Lu Van Bay on 22 August 2011 solely for the peaceful expression of his views. Sydney PEN joins PEN International in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Lu Van Bay and all those detained in Vietnam in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Vietnam is a signatory.
Lu Van Bay, aged 59, is a prominent pro-democracy activist and a prolific internet writer. In his writing he focuses on social and political issues including freedom of expression and the press. He has contributed to a number of websites such as Dan Chim Viet (Vietnamese Birds), Doi Thoa (Dialogue) and To Quoc (Fatherland). According to information supplied by International PEN, Lu Van Bay was arrested at his home by police on 26 March 2011, who also seized his computer and several of his articles. In August 2011 he was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of house arrest after a half-day trial under Article 88 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code for “conducting propaganda against the regime”. He was charged specifically for ten articles he posted on various overseas Internet sites over the last four years, which called for the end of one-party rule in the country and the introduction of a multi-party system (“Vietnam jails 8th democracy activist in a month”, Associated Press).
Sydney PEN has serious concerns about the large numbers of dissidents and internet writers sentenced to long prison terms in Vietnam since its government began a concerted crackdown on freedom of expression in October 2009. These include French-Vietnamese university teacher and Internet writer Pham Minh Hoang who was sentenced on 10 August 2011 to three years in prison for his critical online writings (“VIETNAM: Internet writer sentenced”, International PEN). Sydney PEN calls on the Vietnamese authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Lu Van Bay and all those detained in Vietnam in violation of Article 19 of the ICCPR.
Please send appeals:
Protesting the sentence handed down to activist and internet writer Lu Van Bay solely for the peaceful expression of his views;
Expressing serious concern about the large numbers of dissidents and internet writers currently detained in Vietnam, many of whom are serving lengthy sentences;
Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Lu Van Bay and all those currently detained in Vietnam in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a signatory.
A sample letter is available here.
Minister of Public Security
Lt Gen Tran Dai Quang
Ministry of Public Security
44 Yet Kieu Street
Ha Noi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: + 844 3942 0223
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Pham Binh Manh
Minister of Foreign Affairs
1 Ton That Dam Street
Ba Dinh district
Ha Noi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: + 844 3823 1872