Press Release: Vietnamese Government’s Decision to Convict Activists Bui Thi Minh Hang, Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, and Nguyen Van Minh

us embassy hanoiU.S Embassy | August 26, 2014

We are deeply concerned by the Vietnamese government’s conviction and sentencing of activists Ms. Bui Thi Minh Hang, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Quynh, and Mr. Nguyen Van Minh to 3 years, 2 years and 2.5 years, respectively, in prison under Article 245, “public disorder.”  The use of public disorder laws by Vietnamese authorities to imprison government critics for peacefully expressing their political views is alarming.

This conviction appears to be inconsistent with the right to freedom of expression and Vietnam’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and commitments reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  We call on the government to release unconditionally these three individuals, as well as all other prisoners of conscience, and allow all Vietnamese to express their political views.