Bloggers imprisoned in Vietnam for Writing “Anti-State Propaganda”

By Irving Feng
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

HANOI, Vietnam – Bloggers in Vietnam were given lengthy prison sentences for speaking out against corruption and human rights abuses perpetrated by the Communist government.

Bloggers protesting in Hanoi. (Photo Courtesy of International Business Times)

Three prominent bloggers from the “Free Journalists Club” were given multi-year sentences ranging from four to twelve years.  Nguyen Van Hai, aged 60, from the northern port city of Hai Phong received a sentence of twelve years with an additional five years of probation after his release.  Ta Phong Tan, aged 44, from the southern province of Bac Lieu received ten years in prison.  Phan Thanh Hai, aged 43, from the city of Hanoi received a four year sentence with an additional five years of probation.

State officials first arrested the bloggers in April for distorting the truth and posting anti-state propaganda which violated criminal codes.  The jury, when handing down the sentences, alleged that such anti-state propaganda negatively impacted national security and Vietnam’s international image.

Ta Phong Tan, a formal police officer, posted about the alleged abuse of police powers in the country.  After she was arrested, her mother set herself on fire in protest over the mistreatment of her daughter.  Ta Phong Tan’s mother died from her injuries en route to the hospital.

Phan Thanh Hai, in charge of the law and science arm of the blog, challenged the state’s current course of action and called for political and social change in Vietnam.  After Phan Thanh Hai was charged with violating national security and posting anti-state propaganda, all allegations were denied.

The bloggers from 2007 to 2010 posted over 400 stories criticizing the deep corruption in the Communist government following debt scandals and economic slowdowns in what was once a bustling economy.  Local news sources characterized the bloggers’ internet posts as opportunistic and taking advantage of the new internet freedoms afforded to the Vietnamese people.  The bloggers were accused of eroding the general population’s trust in the central government by distorting the state’s image.

The U.S. has criticized the verdicts and lengthy prison sentences given to the bloggers.  The U.S. embassy released a statement saying they were deeply concerned with what has transpired and believes that imprisoning these people contradicts Vietnam’s commitment to international human rights.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also voiced her concerns over the potential human rights violations of the bloggers.  President Barak Obama also recently mentioned the persecution of the Vietnamese bloggers and called for greater international freedoms in the expression of the media.  The U.S., however, has chosen not to sanction Vietnam’s less than sterling historical record involving human rights violations.

 

For further information, please see:

People’s Army Newspaper – Three jailed for anti-State propaganda – 25 September 2012

Saigon Giai Phong – Three bloggers receive prison term for anti-gov’t propaganda – 25 September 2012

Viet Nam News – City court jails anti-state propagandists – 25 September 2012

The Guardian –Vietnam jails three bloggers for ‘anti-state propaganda’ – 24 September 2012

International Business Times –  Vietnam Jails Three Anti-Government Bloggers Including Renowned Dissident Dieu Cay – 24 September 2012

Reuters – Vietnam jails three bloggers in crackdown on dissent – 24 September 2012

Author: Impunity Watch Archive