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Release Nguyen Van Hoa Immediately

Journalist and human rights defender Nguyen Van Hoa, was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison in December 2017 for reporting on the 2016 Formosa environmental disaster in central Vietnam and was tortured by the authorities to confess to his “crime”. In May 2019, he was being held in solitary confinement as punishment for his refusal to cooperate.

Nguyen Van Hoa is a journalist who worked for the Vietnamese service desk at Radio Free Asia. In summer 2016, the Formosa environmental disaster occurred in the four provinces in the central coastline of Vietnam. Nguyen Van Hoa was among the first media persons to approach the affected area and cover the situation.

Several demonstrations were held by people in Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces during the period of the disaster to demand the Vietnamese government respond to the situation. The local authorities reacted to these demonstrations with anti-riot police, using excessive force. Clashes happened between police and protestors, leading to a series of arrests targeting community leaders, environmental activists and journalists.

Nguyen Van Hoa was arrested in June 2017 and charged with “conducting propaganda against the state” under article 88 of the 1999 Penal Code. In November 2017, in a secret trial, Nguyen Van Hoa was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison. Neither his lawyer nor his family were present during the court proceedings.

In August 2018, Nguyen Van Hoa was allowed to testify in court during a trial against environmental activist Le Dinh Luong. During those proceedings, he told the judge that he had been beaten by interrogators to give forced confessions. Instead of promptly launching an investigation into his claim, the judge sent him back to prison and without any action on the allegation.

Take action online now and sign this petition immediately. You can also write and send a physical letter using the information below:

Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

1233 20th St NW Ste 400, Washington DC 20036

Updated on Aug 24, 2020.

⬇ Make Your Voice Heard ⬇

Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc

Ha Kim

Ngoc

Vietnam

Dear Ambassador Ngoc,

We are writing to express our concern about the treatment of Nguyen Van Hoa, a journalist and human rights defender who has been imprisoned solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression. Currently held in An Diem Prison, Nguyen Van Hoa has been tortured by prison officials in an attempt to force him to admit his “crime”. After refusing to cooperate, he was placed in solitary confinement in May 2019.

Nguyen Van Hoa was arrested in January 2017 after covering a public demonstration on the Formosa environmental disaster. He was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison on the charge of “conducting propaganda against the state”.

Vietnam is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture. The Constitution of Vietnam also explicitly bans the use of torture and other ill-treatment. As a result, the Vietnamese government is obligated to end the use of torture by its law enforcement officials, as well as to promptly and effectively investigate allegations of torture and bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible.

We urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Nguyen Van Hoa, who is a prisoner of conscience, as he has been imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. Pending his release, ensure Nguyen Van Hoa is protected from torture and other ill-treatment while in prison, and that there is a prompt and impartial investigation into allegations of torture.

Sincerely,

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