Statement on the Trial of Blogger Dieu Cay (aka Nguyen Van Hai)

us embSeptember 24, 2012 – We are deeply concerned by reports that the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court convicted and sentenced blogger Dieu Cay to 12 years in prison for peacefully expressing his political views.  The government’s treatment of Dieu Cay appears to be inconsistent with Vietnam’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights relating to freedom of expression and due process. 

The Government of Vietnam should release Dieu Cay and his fellow bloggers and Free Journalists Club members Phan Thanh Hai and Ta Phong Tan.  As President Obama said on World Press Freedom Day, we call upon all governments to take the necessary steps to create societies in which independent journalists can operate freely and without fear.

Source: http://vietnam.usembassy.gov/pr092412.html

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