(WAN/IFEX) – The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has urged Vietnam to allow journalist Doan Viet Hoat to return to his country, saying his release from prison into exile “does not solve the underlying problem of freedom of expression in Vietnam.” **For background to case, see IFEX alerts of 2 September, 28 August, 2 July, […]
(WAN/IFEX) – The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has urged Vietnam to
allow journalist Doan Viet Hoat to return to his country, saying his release
from prison into exile “does not solve the underlying problem of freedom
of expression in Vietnam.”
**For background to case, see IFEX alerts of 2 September, 28 August, 2 July,
29 June 1998; 4 November and 29 January 1997; 4 March 1996; and others**
While welcoming the release of Professor Hoat as part of a mass amnesty
granted in celebration of Vietnam’s National Day on 2 September, WAN said
Vietnam continued to refuse the fundamental human right of freedom of
expression to its citizens.
“Sending a critic into exile may silence the messenger, but will not silence
the message,” WAN said in a letter to Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong.
“The place of Doan Viet Hoat and others who are expelled for particulating
their opinions will be taken up by other brave men and women. This cycle
will not be broken until all citizens are permitted to speak their minds
freely and publish what they choose.”
Background Information
Professor Hoat, the 1998 winner of WAN’s Golden Pen of Freedom Award, had
spent a total of 20 years in prison for advocating peaceful political reform
and greater individual liberties. His release, which followed a massive
international opinion campaign, was conditional on his leaving Vietnam. He
is now with his family in the United States (see IFEX alerts).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Vietnamese President:
convicted of “crimes” of free expression, but reminding him that the
expulsion of those who criticise the system of government does not solve the
underlying problem of freedom of expression in Vietnam
right, which is guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and many other international conventions
other Vietnamese citizens the right to live, work and express their views
freely in their home country
Appeals To
The Honourable Tran Duc Luong
President
Office of the State
VP. Chinh Phu
1 Bach Thao
Hanoi, Vietnamor c/o the Vietnamese diplomatic representative in your country
(in Canada)
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
226 MacLaren Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0L6, Canada
Fax: +1 613 236 2704
Please copy appeals to WAN.
