PEN International protests the four-year sentence handed down to activist and Internet writer Lu Van Bay on August 22, 2011, for his critical online writings. PEN calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Lu Van Bay and all those currently detained in Vietnam in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Background Information

According to PEN’s information, police arrested Lu Van Bay at his home on March 26, 2011, and seized his computer and several of his articles. Six months later, following a half-day trial, he was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of house arrest  under Article 88 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code for “conducting propaganda against the regime.” He was charged specifically for 10 articles he posted on various overseas Internet sites over the last four years, calling for the end of one-party rule in the country and the introduction of a multiparty system. The judge also stated that Bay “confessed” to the crime and asked for leniency. 
 
Lu Van Bay, aged 59, is a prominent pro-democracy activist and a prolific Internet writer. He focuses on social and political issues including freedom of expression and of the press. He has contributed to a number of web sites such as Dan Chim Viet (Vietnamese Birds), Doi Thoa (Dialogue) and To Quoc (Fatherland). For security reasons, he has written under various pseudonyms, including Tran Bao Viet, a pen name he has used since 2010.
 
Dozens of political critics and activists have been sentenced to long prison terms in Vietnam since its government began a concerted crackdown on freedom of expression in October 2009. They include French-Vietnamese university teacher and Internet writer Pham Minh Hoang, who was sentenced on August 10, 2011, to three years in prison for his critical online writings.

Write A Letter

  • Protesting the sentence handed down to activist and Internet writer Lu Van Bay solely for the peaceful expression of his views;
  • Expressing serious concern about the large numbers of dissidents and Internet writers currently detained in Vietnam, many of whom are serving lengthy sentences;
  • Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Lu Van Bay and all those currently detained in Vietnam in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Send Your Letter To

His Excellency Nguyen Minh Triet
President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Minister of Public Security
Lt Gen Tran Dai Quang
Ministry of Public Security
44 Yet Kieu Street
Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: + 844 3942 0223

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Pham Binh Manh
Minister of Foreign Affairs
1 Ton That Dam Street
Ba Dinh district
Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: + 844 3823 1872

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Vietnam in your country if possible.

Please send appeals immediately. Check with PEN if sending appeals after October 31, 2011: ftw [at] pen.org