Bloggers behind bars: Vietnam’s war on dissent

A man wearing a T-shirt displaying a portrait of democracy activist Le Quoc Quan is pictured during a mass in support of Quan at a catholic church in Vietnam on July 7, 2013 (AFP/FILE)

A man wearing a T-shirt displaying a portrait of democracy activist Le Quoc Quan is pictured during a mass in support of Quan at a catholic church in Vietnam on July 7, 2013 (AFP/FILE)

Secretly moved from prison to prison, held in solitary confinement, their families subject to constant harassment — Vietnam’s activist bloggers say they are treated like international terrorists.

While Vietnam insists it has no political prisoners — and therefore will not comment on the subject — rights groups estimate hundreds of activists are locked up for speaking out against one-party communist rule, including at least 46 jailed this year.

Activists say that while conditions are no picnic for common criminals, prisoners of conscience face particularly harsh treatment behind bars.

Prisons have a separate area for political prisoners where “anything can happen and no one knows,” said Nguyen Tri Dung, the son of high-profile blogger Dieu Cay who is serving 12 years for anti-state propaganda. Continue Reading…