The Vietnamese government must immediately and unconditionally release human rights lawyer and blogger Nguyen Van Dai, Lawyers for Lawyers and other organizations said today. Nguyen Van Dai has been arbitrarily detained for exactly one year, without access to legal representation or any word of an upcoming trial.
Nguyen Van Dai was arrested on December 16, 2015, charged with “conducting propaganda against the State” under Article 88 of the Vietnamese Penal Code. Vietnamese authorities continue to remain silent regarding the investigation process, with no sign of his trial. Furthermore, neither his wife nor his lawyers have been granted visitation rights.
Nguyen Van Dai was stopped by police on the day of his arrest while on his way to meet with the European Union delegation participating in the bilateral human rights dialogue with Hanoi. His colleague Le Thu Ha was also arrested at the same time under the same charge and has been held incommunicado since.
This is not the first time Nguyen Van Dai was arrested. In 2007, Van Dai was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment, also for spreading propaganda against the state. After he served his sentence in 2011, he was placed under house arrest for a while. All this has not stopped Nguyen Van Dai from promoting human rights. Besides his work as a lawyer, he writes blogs and articles about human rights in Vietnam.
What can you do?
Let Nguyen Van Dai know that he is not forgotten. Christmas is important for him. Wishes of support from all over the world would be very much appreciated by Nguyen Van Dai and his family.
Send Nguyen Van Dai a christmas card with a message of hope and support!
The address:
Prison:
PRISON B14 – MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY
Ward Thanh Liet, Thanh Tri, Ha Noi, Vietnam
Home:
Room 302, Z8,Bach Khoa Condominium,
Bach Khoa Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
