Action Requested
Almost a month has passed since Vietnamese authorities arrested a press freedom advocate for allegedly distributing “anti-state propaganda” at his home in Ho Chi Minh City on June 13.
Vietnamese authorities charged Le Cong Dinh with violating Article 88 of the Vietnam Criminal Code which penalizes the “crime of spreading propaganda against the government,” the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) reported. Since his arrest last June 13, Dinh has been in jail, with the government providing little details to the public regarding his condition.
On the day of Dinh’s arrest, the head of the Investigation Agency told the press that Dinh allegedly reported “distorted facts” to international news agencies and defamed Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. If found guilty, Dinh could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Dinh, a lawyer, blogger and human right advocate, has defended journalists, writers and human rights advocates in their cases despite the stringent laws on press freedom in Vietnam.
This time, SEAPA and other press freedom advocates in Southeast Asia are asking for support in calling for the immediate release of Dinh and for a fair and just trial. Please find below a letter from the executive director of SEAPA.
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Dear friends,
As you may have heard, Vietnamese authorities have arrested Mr. Le Cong Dinh, a prominent lawyer, writer, blogger, and human rights defender in Vietnam. Dinh has represented other writers and human rights advocates in Vietnamese courts over the past years, courageously taking on the cases despite overwhelming odds against cases concerning freedom of expression in the country.
Now it is Dinh who needs help. He was arrested on 13 June 2009 by the Vietnamese police over charges of anti-State propaganda, sedition, and for allegedly conspiring with subversives. If convicted he faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) would like to solicit your support in campaigning for Le Cong Dinh’s immediate release, and for a fair and transparent hearing of the charges against him.
We believe these charges are flimsy and are simply meant to still critical voices in Vietnamese society. Dinh’s arrest simultaneously sends a chilling messsage to both writers and advocates on the one hand, and to lawyers who, fully working within the system and respecting Vietnam’s laws, represent them on the other. SEAPA’s statement on Dinh’s arrest can be found here: http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=6OyAp&m=1ZpU97jUFjKXin&b=WnIR3sB.Z7GKHmvNpRj_AA
Beyond reading and passing on our statement, you can have a direct hand in the campaign for Dinh’s release and fair trial.
1. Write or fax a letter of protest to the Vietnamese embassy in your country. More details about Dinh’s case are in the SEAPA website. For your convenience, and to facilitate a rapid response, we have also pasted below a draft protest letter that you are free to use and send on. For a partial list of Vietnamese embassy addresses, please click here: http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=6OyAp&m=1ZpU97jUFjKXin&b=BLrtXzLXTJ_8G24DqLxzng
2. Sign the online petition for Dinh. Concerned friends of Dinh have set up a petition here: http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=6OyAp&m=1ZpU97jUFjKXin&b=9e0SMWf.RJsCkdb3EgnY2g
Thank you for your support. Dinh has spoken out consistently for writers, bloggers, and free speech advocates in Vietnam. Let’s speak out for him. Please see the draft letter below, and do consider sending it to the Vietnamese embassies in your respective countries.
Roby Alampay
Executive Director
SEAPA
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For more information on the arrest of Dinh, please visit the websites of SEAPA and the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX).
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