CPJ: Vietnam
Intensifies Crackdown on Journalists
Tra Mi - VOA
December 18, 2013
WASHINGTON — The
Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ, says Vietnam is the fifth biggest
jailer of journalists in the world, and second in the Asia-Pacific region after
China.
The group Wednesday released its
annual list of the world's top repressive regimes
as measured by press freedom. The CPJ report said “Vietnam was holding 18
journalists, up from 14 a year earlier, as authorities intensified a crackdown
on bloggers, who represent the country’s only independent press.”
Reporters Without Borders says Vietnam also has been hostile to bloggers.
Benjamin Ismail, head of the Asia Desk at
Reporters Without Borders [RSF], told VOA's Vietnamese service that with
Vietnam joining the U.N. Human Rights Council this year, it is appropriate to
put the spotlight on Hanoi.
"We put them into the eye of the international community and we really pay close
attention to their policy. And we'll be ready to denounce if there is no change
at all in their repressive policy against bloggers, [or] if there is a worsening
of the situation," said Ismail.
RSF ranks Vietnam as the second biggest jailer of online activists in the world
after China, with more than 134 being held in prison.
Vietnamese blogger Hanh Nhan said many are starting to push back, however,
against repressive policies.
“2013 witnessed more arrests and intensified suppression against independent
bloggers compared to previous years. In return, however, there are more people
overcoming their fears to speak up for rights and justice, more people
expressing their viewpoints online, more civil movements, and more independent
organizations established. Despite the government crackdown, these are positive,
hopeful signs for a better society,” said Nhan.
Nhan expressed hope that these civil society movements would help better the
situation in the years to come.
Vietnam's government has not commented on the CPJ report.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Vietnamese service.