Vietnam

IBAHRI calls for independent inquiry into disbarment of Vietnamese lawyer Huynh Van Dong 24 October 2011
 

On 13 June 2009, lawyer Le Cong Dinh was arrested by Vietnamese authorities and charged with ‘distributing propaganda against the state’ under article 88 of the Penal Code, a charge carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charges were then altered to the more severe charge of ‘carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration’ under article 79 of the Penal Code, potentially punishable by death.

Concerned by the charges and Vietnamese trial standards, the IBAHRI arranged for two observers to travel to Vietnam to monitor the trial and assess the proceedings’ compliance with international fair trial standards. The IBAHRI observers attempted to attend the court hearing on 20 January 2010, but were refused entry to the proceedings. The IBAHR observers proceeded to conduct interviews with various stakeholders and sources regarding the trial conduct in place of the observation.

Le Cong Dinh was convicted of subversion and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, while three further pro-democracy activists were also convicted and sentenced up to 16 years.

Le Cong Dinh was released from prison on 6 February 2013, having served three and half years of the five year sentence.
 

• IBAHRI condemns arrest and conviction of human rights defenders in Viet Nam 7 December 2010