Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the sentencing of human rights defenders in Viet Nam The EU has noted with great concern that several peaceful human rights defenders have been arrested and given long prison sentences on charges of "conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam". On 30 March, Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Phong and Nguyen Binh Thanh were sentenced to 8, 6 and 5 years’ imprisonment respectively by the People's Court of Thua Thien Hue Province. On 10 May, Nguyen Bac Truyen, Huynh Nguyen Dao and Le Nguyen Sang were sentenced to 3, 4 and 5 years’ imprisonment respectively by the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City. On 11 May the People's Court of Hanoi sentenced lawyers Nguyen Van Dai to 5 years’ imprisonment plus 4 years’ "administrative probation" (house arrest) and Le Thi Cong Nhan to 4 years’ imprisonment plus 3 years’ “adminsitrative probation”. On 15 May, Tran Quoc Hien was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and 2 years “administrative probation” by the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City.   more »