Vietnam Dissident Lawyers Jailed
Courtesy of BBC - 11/13/2007
Two human rights lawyers have been jailed in Vietnam, in the latest court case against political activists.
Nguyễn Văn Đài and Lê Thị Công Nhân arrested on March 06, 2007
Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan were sentenced to five years and four years respectively by the Hanoi People's
Court. They were found guilty of spreading propaganda intended to undermine Vietnam's Communist government.
A court in Ho Chi Minh City convicted three other activists on similar charges. Dr. Le Nguyen Sang was sentenced
to five years in jail, Nguyen Bac Truyen to four years, and Huynh Nguyen Dao to three years.
Both Mr Dai and Ms Nhan were arrested on 6 March, accused of collaborating with overseas pro-democracy advocates
and using the internet to spread their views. As well as receiving jail terms by the Hanoi court, they were also
ordered to serve several years' house arrest after the completion of their sentences. Their trial is the latest
in a series of court cases against members of the underground Bloc 8406 pro-democracy movement, which is named
after the date it was launched, on 8 April last year.
This crackdown on political dissidents has been criticised by Western diplomats and international human rights
groups. An ex-prime minister, with links to the current leadership, recently told the BBC that there should be a
dialogue with dissidents.
In a rare interview, Vo Van Kiet - a reformist who was prime minister from 1991 to 1997 - said the government
should not avoid "talking to those who have a different view". And he urged the authorities "not to execute
administrative measures" in their dealings with dissidents.
In March, dissident Catholic priest Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly was jailed for eight years for working with overseas
democracy activists. Another dissident, Tran Quoc Hien, is scheduled to go on trial in Ho Chi Minh City next week.