URGENT ACTION: Further Information on UA: 155/09 AI Index: ASA 41/003/2009 Issue Date: 6 July 2009 INCOMMUNICADO LAWYER NOW DISBARRED Lawyer Le Cong Dinh has been disbarred by the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association and the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice has revoked his practising licence. Le Cong Dinh is a prisoner of conscience who has been held incommunicado since his arrest on 13 June. On 1 July 2009, the deputy head of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association told journalists that it had disbarred and that the Ministry of Justice had revoked his licence, forbidding him to practice law. Le Cong Dinh has still not been allowed to receive any visits from family members or legal professionals that could represent his case, and Le Cong Dinh's well-being remains unknown. The Vietnamese authorities have launched a public propaganda campaign against Le Cong Dinh following international pressure calling for the lawyer’s release. In a statement issued on 26 June, the government requested “international understanding and support for its struggle against conspiracies and acts conducted by organizations and individuals to carry out acts of terrorism and unrest, overthrow the State and destroy the peaceful life of the people”. Le Cong Dinh was arrested 13 June under Article 88 in the national security section of the Penal Code. Together with other lawyers, Le Cong Dinh had previously argued that Article 88 breaches Viet Nam’s constitution and international human rights law. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that he is accused of contacting and colluding “with some exiled Vietnamese organizations and groups abroad, including those listed by the Vietnamese government as terrorist groups, in an attempt to prepare for riots and cause social instability and public disorder with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the State of Viet Nam”. Le Cong Dinh has been charged with "conducting propaganda" against the state, under Article 88 of the Penal Code. If convicted, he faces a three- to 20-year prison sentence. He is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression. The Vietnamese authorities have sentenced at least 30 dissidents, including a number of lawyers, to long prison terms since 2006 in an attempt to stifle freedom of expression and association. Most are supporters of an internet-based pro-democracy movement, Bloc 8406, or other unauthorized groups calling for democracy and human rights. The majority have been sentenced to imprisonment under the national security section of the 1999 Penal Code, with additional sentences of up to five years of house arrest on release from prison. An unknown number of dissidents are in custody awaiting trial. Articles of the Penal Code used to criminalize peaceful political dissent include Article 80 (Spying), 87 (Undermining the unity policy), and 88 (Conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam). In May 2009, the UN Human Rights Council considered Viet Nam under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Viet Nam rejected the recommendations of other states to allow greater freedom of expression and to reform national security laws which limit freedom of expression, among others. PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, French, Vietnamese or your own language: * expressing concern that lawyer Le Cong Dinh is a prisoner of conscience that has been arrested under Article 88 of the Penal Code solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression; * urging the authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally, and drop all charges against him; * calling on the authorities to ensure that he is allowed immediate access to his family and a lawyer of his choosing and, that he is provided with any medical attention he may require; * calling on the authorities to either repeal or amend provisions in the 1999 Penal Code which criminalize peaceful political dissent; PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 17 AUGUST 2009 TO: OPEN ARTICLE FOR NAMES AND ADDRESSES ****************************** This is the first update of UA: 155/09, AI index: ASA 41/002/2009 Working to protect human rights worldwide   more »

ÐẢNG DÂN CHỦ NHÂN DÂN The People's Democratic Party http://ddcnd.org/main/ July 07, 2009 The Honorable Barbara Boxer United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20520 Dear Senator Boxer: Re: Vietnam’s ongoing of crackdown dissidents and violation of human rights. On the occasion of your effort to reintroduce The Vietnam Human Rights Act (S.1159) to address human rights abuses in Vietnam, including religious and political persecution, I am writing this letter to call your attention to Vietnam’s on going crackdowns of dissidents and violations of human rights. - On June 13, 2009, Vietnam arrested attorney Le Cong Dinh, Mr. Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Mr. Le Thang Long, Ms. Tran Thi Thu and Ms. Le Thi Thu Thu. All were accused of violating Article 88 of the Penal Code of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which alleged “dissemination of propaganda acts against The Socialist Republic of Vietnam”. In fact, these individuals are pro-democracy activists who bravely raise their voices to promote democracy and freedom for Vietnam. - On July 7, 2009, Vietnam continues to arrest two more dissidents, Mr. Tran Anh Kim in Ha Noi and Mr. Nguyen Tien Trung in Saigon. Both also were accused of violating Article 88. - In addition, five democratic activists including writer Nguyen Xuan Nghia, teacher Vu Hung, Mr. Ngo Quynh, Mr. Pham Van Troi and Ms. Pham Thanh Nghien were incarcerated in Hanoi since September 2008 without trials. All were accused of the same violation as the above-named detainees. Being a member of United Nations Security Council, yet Vietnam continues to commit serious human rights abuses. Using detention to silent dissidents and fragrantly disregarding internationally respected human rights values. To date, many Vietnamese pro-democracy activists such as Father Nguyen Van Ly, lawyers Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thi Cong Nhan, Nguyen Bac Truyen, Tran Quoc Hien, Le Quoc Quan, Dr. Le Nguyen Sang, journalists Huynh Nguyen Dao and Truong Minh Duc, writer Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, Ms. Le Thi Kim Thu and many others have been arrested and suppressed for the peaceful expression of their political views. - We call on Vietnam's government to accept open and direct dialogue with opposing political party; to end all baseless allegations and arbitrary detentions of pro-democracy activists. We urgently ask that they release these pro-democracy activists immediately. - The People’s Democratic Party strongly protests and condemns the Vietnamese authorities for their repressive acts and call on the US Senators to urgently pass The Vietnam Human Rights Act (S.1159). Sincerely, Cong Thanh Do, Spokesperson of The People’s Democratic Party cc: Members of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Richard Lugar, Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Benjamin Cardin, Sen. Robert Casey, Sen. Bob Corker, Sen. Jim Demint, Sen. Christopher Dodd, Sen. Russell Feingold, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. John Isakson, Sen. Edward Kaufman, Sen. Robert Menendez, Sen. James Risch, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Jim Webb and Sen. Roger Wicker. Members of US Congressional Caucus on Vietnam: Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Loretta Sanchez, Chris Smith and Anh “Joseph” Cao.   more »