The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned about the recent arrests of three dissident writers solely for their criticism of government policies. International PEN calls upon the government of Vietnam to release these writers in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a signatory.
Since January 2002, three writers have faced reprisals in Vietnam for their criticism of bilateral negotiations between China and Vietnam. They are:
BUI Minh Quoc: Journalist and dissident. Detained on 8 January 2002 at the Thanh Tri train station, Hanoi, where he had gone for a meeting with a group of dissidents. Placed under formal house arrest in Dalat, southern Vietnam, on 12 January 2002 on charges of _possessing anti-government literature_, including his own writings. It is thought that his arrest may be connected to a recent investigation he led concerning territorial concessions granted to Beijing by the Hanoi government in the northern regions of Vietnam bordering with China.
LE Chi Quang: Attorney and dissident writer. Reportedly arrested on 21 February 2002 and charged with _communicating with overseas_ elements via the Internet for an essay _Beware of Imperialist China_. The essay, which he wrote in October 2001, reportedly criticised border agreements between China and Vietnam which were signed in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Currently held incommunicado at B14 labour camp in Ha Dong province, northern Vietnam.
TRAN Van Khue: Writer and scholar. Reportedly detained on or around 10 March 2002 following a police search of his home. His detention is believed to be linked to an open letter Tran Khue sent to Chinese President Jiang Zemin during Jiang_s visit to Vietnam in late February. The letter, which was distributed over the Internet, protested recent border accords between the two countries. He is currently held incommunicado under house arrest. Tran Khue has been under tight surveillance since September 2001, when he and other dissidents tried to register the _National Association to Fight Corruption_.
Please send appeals:
- calling for the immediate and unconditional release of writers Bui Minh Quoc, Le Chi Quang and Tran Van Khue in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a signatory.
Appeals to:
His Excellency Le Kha Phieu
Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam
1 A Hung Vuong Street
Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: +844 845 9205
His Excellency Tran Duc Luong
President
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
1 Bach Thao Street
Hanoi
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Fax: +844 823 3545
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Vietnam in your country if possible.
International PEN WiPC,
9/10 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AT, U.K.
Tel: +44 (0)207 253 3226, fax: +44 (0)207 253 5711