Free Vietnam Alliance

Press Release
October 24, 2002

Joining attorney Arthur J. Liu of the US-based Inter-Pacific Law Group, Inc, two more lawyers, one in France and one in Australia, have announced their willingness to represent and defend Internet activist Le Chi Quang in his upcoming trial.

On October 22, 2002, attorney Emmanuel Dewees, Vice-Chairman of the French Committee for Democracy in Vietnam, and attorney Ian Spry, Chairman of the Australia Vietnam Human Rights Committee, wrote to Vietnamese president Tran Duc Luong requesting that Le Chi Quang receive a fair trial on October 28, 2002. And to help ensure such, they have offered to provide legal assistance for a defendant who has courageously protested the anti-democratic polices of the communist party and government of Vietnam (letters to Vietnamese president attached).

As evidenced by Le Chi Quang’s indictment, dated September 24, 2002 and obtained by the Free Vietnam Alliance (translation attached), freedom of thought and expression are entirely lacking in Vietnam.

According to the “investigative results” of the Ministry of Public Security:

“Since 2000, Le Chi Quang frequently listened to broadcasts of RFI, BBC which denigrated, distorted, and opposed the Government of Vietnam. Concurrently, Quang also met with certain individuals inside the country holding opposing, dissenting viewpoints and was able to receive from these individuals documents opposing the Government. Quang was then urged, pulled in [by these individuals] to write articles. (Code 48, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55, 76, 77)

From April 2001 to September 2001, Quang wrote and distributed 7 articles, all of which attacked, criticized the regime, opposed the Government of Vietnam, and claimed that the Government of Vietnam oppressed the democracy movement, violated human rights.”

By its own words, the Vietnam authorities have reaffirmed that Le Chi Quang is being persecuted solely for having and expressing political views.

He is charged with “Propaganda against the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” which under Article 88 of the Criminal Code is punishable by three to twelve years in prison.

Le Chi Quang, 32-years old, was arrested on February 21, 2002 at an Internet café. He suffers from kidney disease and is in poor health.

Documents:
- Allegations of Le Chi Quang English, Vietnamese
- Dewees Letter pdf
- Spry Letter pdf

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