Press Releases: Vietnam’s Conviction of Peaceful Activist Le Dinh Luong

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Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

August 17, 2018


We are deeply concerned that a Vietnamese court has convicted Le Dinh Luong to 20 years in prison and 5 years probation under vague charges of “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration.”

The trend of increased arrests and harsh sentences for peaceful activists in Vietnam is troubling.

The United States calls on Vietnam to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and to allow all individuals in Vietnam to express their views freely and assemble peacefully without fear of retribution.

We also urge the Vietnamese government to ensure its actions and laws, including the Penal Code, are consistent with the human rights provisions of Vietnam’s constitution and its international obligations and commitments.