Amnesty
International Urges Immediate
and Unconditional Release of Detained Teacher
23 January 2009
UA 18/09 Torture/ill-treatment/ health concern
VIET NAM Vu Hung (m), teacher
Vu Hung, a teacher held in pre-trial detention since 18 September 2008, has not
been seen since he was moved from his cell in B14 prison, Ha Noi, two months
ago. His health had deteriorated after reportedly being beaten during several
interrogation sessions, and starting a hunger-strike in protest at his
treatment. During that time he was taken to Hospital 198 of the Ministry of
Public Security a number of times.
Vu Hung had been held in a cell with 50 prisoners convicted of criminal
offences, a number of whom were recently released under an amnesty for Tet, the
Vietnamese lunar new year festival. Some of these released
prisoners reported that Vu Hung's health had seriously deteriorated, and that it
was not known where he had been moved to. About a month after he was taken into
custody, police visited his family, asking them to sign an affidavit that
he was suffering from mental health problems, raising concerns about his
treatment in prison and state of health.
Vu Hung is one of at least nine people arrested in September 2008, following the
trial of blogger and activist Dieu Cay, and in connection with planned peaceful
protests over a territory dispute with China. Amnesty International believes
that they were arrested solely for their peaceful activism. Vu Hung was
also one of 14 people arrested in April 2008 during peaceful demonstrations
against Chinese policies as the Olympic torch relay passed through Ho Chi Minh
City. He was then beaten by police before being released.
A high school physics teacher married with two young children, Vu Hung was
reportedly dismissed from his job in July 2008 for his involvement with other
pro-democracy activists, protesting against government policies since 2006. He
was also frequently interrogated by the police.
According to human rights activists in Viet Nam, the nine arrested in September,
including Vu Hung, have been charged under Article 88 of the Penal Code, with
“conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam”.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Freedom of expression and association has been subject to strict control by the
Vietnamese authorities for many years. Dissidents who are critical of government
policies and speak out about human rights violations face a range of sanctions
to silence them. These include surveillance by local police, restrictions on
movement, interference with home utilities such as phone lines and internet
access, arbitrary questioning and detention by police, arrest and imprisonment.
There are also cases where authorities have used arbitrary detention in mental
health institutions against outspoken critics and activists.
At least 30 dissidents have been handed down long prison sentences, since the
most recent wave of arrests began in 2006 after a short-lived period of
tolerance to increased web-based activism challenging the government. An unknown
number of others are held in pre-trial detention.
Provisions in the national security section of the Penal Code are used
arbitrarily to stifle and criminalize peaceful dissent, in breach of
international human rights treaties that Viet Nam has ratified. Restrictions and
regulations on internet use penalize freedom of expression on topics deemed
sensitive, including human rights and advocacy of democracy. Recent regulations
on blogging enacted in December 2008 restrict content to personal matters, and
prohibit dissemination of anti-government material, and “undermining national
security”.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please
send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Vietnamese, French or
your own language:
- expressing concern at the arrest of Vu Hung and eight others in September 2008
for their peaceful activism;
- calling on the authorities to reveal his whereabouts and current state of
health immediately;
- calling for an investigation into allegations that Vu Hung has been
tortured and ill-treated in detention, with the results made public and anyone
found responsible to be brought to justice;
- urging the authorities to ensure that Vu Hung is provided with proper
medical treatment and hospitalization if necessary, and that he is allowed
access to his family, and to a lawyer;
- calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Vu Hung.
APPEALS TO:
Le Hong Anh
Minister of Public Security
Ministry of Public Security
44 Yet Kieu Street
Ha Noi
VIET NAM
Fax: + 8443 942 0223
Salutation: Dear Minister
Ha Hung Cuong
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
58-60 Tran Phu Street
Ha Noi
VIET NAM
Fax: + 8443 843 1431
Salutation: Dear Minister
Pham Gia Khiem
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1 Ton That Dam Street
Ba Dinh district, Ha Noi
VIET NAM
Fax: + 8443 823 1872
Email: bc.mfa@mofa.gov.vn
Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO: diplomatic
representatives of Viet Nam accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 6 March 2009.
Janice Beanland
Southeast Asia Team
Amnesty International, International Secretariat
1 Easton Street, London WC1X ODW, UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7413 5660; Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7956 1157
Working to protect human
rights worldwide