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UPDATE - VIETNAM
13 June 2007
Following international pressure, critical writer Nguyen Vu Binh released
under amnesty after serving four years for "espionage"
SOURCE: Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC), International PEN, London
**Updates IFEX alerts of 19 January 2007, 10 October, 27 September and 29
June 2006, 22 September 2005 and others**
(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC welcomes the release of leading dissident writer Nguyen
Vu Binh on 10 June 2007, after serving four years of a seven-year prison on
espionage charges for his critical writings. He was among three leading
dissidents to be granted an amnesty by President Nguyen Minh Triet, two
weeks ahead of his planned visit to the United States. Sustained
international pressure from human rights organisations and US and European
diplomats is thought to have contributed to his early release.
According to PEN's information, Nguyen Vu Binh, who is a leading member of
the Democracy Club for Vietnam, was arrested on 25 September 2002 and
sentenced by the Hanoi People's Court to seven years' imprisonment, to be
followed by three years' house arrest, on charges of espionage in a
three-hour trial on 31 December 2003. Following the proceedings, the
official Vietnam news agency reported that he had been convicted of having
"written and exchanged, with various opportunist elements in the country,
information and materials that distorted the party and state policies." He
was also accused of communicating with "reactionary" organisations abroad.
His sentence was upheld on appeal on 5 May 2004. He was held at Ba Sao
forced labour camp, in Nam Hà province, in very poor conditions and denied
adequate medical care or nutrition. There have been serious concerns for
his health, and PEN has campaigned for his release throughout his time in
prison.
The 39-year-old writer was targeted for the online publication of one of
his critical essays, "Some Thoughts on the China-Vietnam Border Agreement".
Nguyen Vu Binh is a former journalist who worked for 10 years for "Tap Chi
Cong" ("Journal of Communism"), the official publication of the Communist
Party of Vietnam. In January 2001, he left his post to form the independent
Liberal Democratic Party, and is known for his critical writings calling
for political reform.
WiPC thanks all who sent appeals on this case.
For further information, contact Cathy McCann at WiPC, International PEN,
Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6ER, U.K., tel: +44 207
405 0338, fax: +44 207 405 0339, e-mail:
cathy.mccann@internationalpen.org.uk, Internet:
http://www.internationalpen.org.uk
The information contained in this update is the sole responsibility of
WiPC. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
WiPC.
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