14 activists were convicted and sentenced to jail terms ranging from 3 to 13 years, following up to five years of house arrest, by the People's Court of Nghe An province.
This is a part of a growing movement attacking government critics, including the well known blogger Le Quoc Quan, who was arrested in December. The fourteen activists were charged after attending a course put on by the Viet Tan organization, a banned organization that works for democracy, human rights, and political reform in Vietnam. They are banned because in the past they spearheaded a movement against the Vietnamese communist government.
All of the activists have been involved in the struggle for human rights and have advocated for other issues including the environment.
This sentencing was based off of vague security laws, specifically article 79 of the penal code, which forbids "overthrowing the government". Please tell the Vietnam government to remove these convictions and support activists!
Dear Vietnam Government,
Recently fourteen activists were sentenced to up to 13 years in prison followed by up to 5 years of house arrest by the People's Court of Nghe An province.
The activists were charged after attending a course held by the Viet Tan organization, a banned organization (for leading a resistance movement against the Vietnamese communist government) that is now advocating for peaceful change related to political reform, democracy, and human rights.
All of the activists have fought for human rights and other issues like the environment. This is a part of the growing movement attacking those that criticize the government. Besides the freedom of speech they all deserve, they are simply trying to make the world a better place by drawing attention to issues that need to be addressed.
Please remove these convictions and support activists.
Thank you for your time.
