Press Statement
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 11, 2003

Vietnam Sentencing of Members of Father Nguyen Van Ly's Family

The United States strongly condemns the harsh sentences handed down in Vietnam yesterday, September 10, to three Vietnamese for sending information about their uncle, incarcerated Catholic priest Nguyen Van Ly, to U.S.-based organizations.

Nguyen Vu Viet and Nguyen Truc Cuong and their sister, Nguyen Thi Hoa, were tried and sentenced on September 10 in Ho Chi Minh City People's Court. Charged with "abusing democratic freedom to cause harm to the state," they were sentenced to five, four, and three years imprisonment, respectively.

The U.S. Consulate General was unable to gain access to the trial, despite repeated oral and written requests to Vietnamese government officials. We were informed that none of the defendants were afforded legal counsel.

The United States reminds the Government of Vietnam of its obligations to fully respect international standards for human rights to which it has freely adhered, including the International Covenant On Civil And Political Rights. It also calls upon the Vietnamese government to respect an individual's rights to fair and open trials, transparency in the judicial process, and access to qualified legal counsel.

No individual should be imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of one's views. The sentencing of these three individuals clearly violates international standards for the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of information.

[End]

Released on September 11, 2003