Vietnam Free Expression Newsletter No. 16/2018 – Week of April 16-22

0
85
Blogger Dieu Cay in Cambodia (2007)

Greetings from The 88 Project! We are bringing you news, analysis, and actions regarding human rights and civil society in Vietnam during the week of April 16-22. The appeal trial of environmental activist Hoang Duc Binh, who was sentenced to fourteen years, will take place on Tuesday, April 24. News also came this week that four of the six activists sentenced on April 5 have appealed their sentences as well. Ten years after his arrest in Da Lat City while in hiding, prominent activist and blogger Nguyen Van Hai, a.k.a. Dieu Cay, shares his thoughts on the formation of the Freelance Journalist Club, his arrest, and the state of democracy in Vietnam in a new article series. Fourteen protesters in Binh Dinh province were detained for participating in an environmental protest, but they were later released after a standoff between villagers and local government officials. Three hundred children and their parents marched in Nghe An province to protest school fees that they claim are being illegally imposed on them. In the news, read about the potential breakthrough of the #metoo movement and the current state of “socialism” in Vietnam, as well as the obstacles that Vietnam War refugees face in navigating deportation and life back in a country they do not know or agree with. Please take action for Le Thu Ha, whose family needs financial support to visit her and also care for her mother while Ha serves a nine-year prison sentence for her peaceful activism. Please also consider applying to become a Board Member or a volunteer translator/editor with us.

Read the full newsletter, here.