(NEW YORK)— The sentencing of prominent Vietnamese author and journalist Truong Huy San to 30 months in prison today is a “blatant” effort to silence him and further underscores the Vietnamese government’s relentless crackdown on free expression, PEN America said today while strongly condemning the verdict and his imprisonment.
“Sentencing Truong Huy San for his writing is a stark reminder that Vietnam fears the power of words,” said PEN America research and advocacy manager Anh-Thu Vo. ”Truong Huy San has been a critical voice in shedding light on Vietnam’s history and governance. The sentencing is a blatant attempt to silence expression and signals a chilling message to writers, journalists, and activists across Vietnam who dare to express independent thought.”
San, known by his pen names Huy Duc and Osin, is the author of The Winning Side (Bên Thắng Cuộc). He was arrested last June 1 in Hanoi while travelling to a speaking engagement. He was later indicted under Article 331 of the Penal Code for “abusing the rights to freedom and democracy to violate interests of the state, rights and legitimate interests of organisations and individuals.”
PEN America called on the Vietnamese government to overturn the sentence, release San, and respect its commitments under international human rights law to uphold free expression. The writers and free expression group also urged Vietnam’s partners, such as the U.S., and the international community to condemn this sentencing and press for meaningful reforms to safeguard free expression in Vietnam.
Vietnam is one of the most repressive environments for writers and journalists, with a growing number of people facing harassment, arrest, and imprisonment for peaceful expression. The country’s sweeping laws, including provisions in the Penal Code and Cybersecurity Law, are routinely misused to stifle dissent and punish critical voices.
According to PEN America’s Freedom to Write Index 2023, Vietnam was the world’s third-highest jailer of writers, following China and Iran and tied with Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Vietnam imprisoned 19 writers including 2024 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Awardee, Pham Doan Trang.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, STrimel@PEN.org, (201) 247-5057