This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2013/feb/13/censorship-vietnam

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Vietnam suppresses its bloggers with long jail terms after unfair trials Vietnam suppresses its bloggers with long jail terms after unfair trials
(7 months later)
A major report highlighting the plight of bloggers in Vietnam was published today. It reveals that 32 bloggers and netizens are currently in detention and accuses the Vietnamese authorities of routinely subjecting bloggers to arbitrary detention, harassment, intimidation, assaults and violations of fair trial rights.A major report highlighting the plight of bloggers in Vietnam was published today. It reveals that 32 bloggers and netizens are currently in detention and accuses the Vietnamese authorities of routinely subjecting bloggers to arbitrary detention, harassment, intimidation, assaults and violations of fair trial rights.
The 42-page report, entitled Bloggers and netizens behind bars: restrictions on internet freedom in Vietnam, has been produced by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organisation, the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR).The 42-page report, entitled Bloggers and netizens behind bars: restrictions on internet freedom in Vietnam, has been produced by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organisation, the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR).
It explains how the Vietnamese government has actively promoted the expansion of internet access in order to support economic development while viewing free access to the net as a potential threat to its political control.It explains how the Vietnamese government has actively promoted the expansion of internet access in order to support economic development while viewing free access to the net as a potential threat to its political control.
The government has therefore intensified online censorship and restrictions. In December 2012, prime minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng ordered his security forces to step up the fight against "hostile forces" using the net to "spread propaganda which threatens our national security."The government has therefore intensified online censorship and restrictions. In December 2012, prime minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng ordered his security forces to step up the fight against "hostile forces" using the net to "spread propaganda which threatens our national security."
Three months before that, he issued an order to punish criticisms of the communist party and the government, naming three dissident blogs, including the prominent Danlambao (citizens' journalism) blog, which publishes a wide range of news, including those focused on politics and human rights.Three months before that, he issued an order to punish criticisms of the communist party and the government, naming three dissident blogs, including the prominent Danlambao (citizens' journalism) blog, which publishes a wide range of news, including those focused on politics and human rights.
The report states that in a series of unfair trials over the past 12 months, 22 bloggers and netizens were sentenced to a total of 133 years in prison and 65 years probationary detention for their online activities.The report states that in a series of unfair trials over the past 12 months, 22 bloggers and netizens were sentenced to a total of 133 years in prison and 65 years probationary detention for their online activities.
Seventeen of the people in jail, including three women, were sentenced under a draconian article - article 88 - of the criminal code that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment for the ill-defined offence of "anti-state propaganda."Seventeen of the people in jail, including three women, were sentenced under a draconian article - article 88 - of the criminal code that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment for the ill-defined offence of "anti-state propaganda."
In one recent trial, on 9 January, 13 people were sentenced to a total of over 100 years in prison for exercising their freedom of expression.In one recent trial, on 9 January, 13 people were sentenced to a total of over 100 years in prison for exercising their freedom of expression.
The report also profiles nine bloggers and their peaceful writings on the net. They include the prominent blogger Nguyen Van Hai (aka Dieu Cay) and members of the club of free journalists, whose online writings criticised article 88.The report also profiles nine bloggers and their peaceful writings on the net. They include the prominent blogger Nguyen Van Hai (aka Dieu Cay) and members of the club of free journalists, whose online writings criticised article 88.
They were detained under that very article and sentenced last September to prison terms of up to 12 years. Although they protested their innocence, the conviction of Dieu Cay and Ta Phong Tan was upheld on appeal.They were detained under that very article and sentenced last September to prison terms of up to 12 years. Although they protested their innocence, the conviction of Dieu Cay and Ta Phong Tan was upheld on appeal.
The report calls on the Vietnamese government to end its escalating assault on freedom of expression and its criminalisation of bloggers and net users.The report calls on the Vietnamese government to end its escalating assault on freedom of expression and its criminalisation of bloggers and net users.
"Article 88 and other 'national security' provisions of the criminal code fly in the face of Vietnam's obligations under international human rights law," said Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH president."Article 88 and other 'national security' provisions of the criminal code fly in the face of Vietnam's obligations under international human rights law," said Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH president.
"Instead of engaging in the futile exercise of gagging the internet, it should immediately end the practice of making speech a crime and overhaul its repressive legal framework to ensure respect and protection of the right to freedom of expression, regardless of medium.""Instead of engaging in the futile exercise of gagging the internet, it should immediately end the practice of making speech a crime and overhaul its repressive legal framework to ensure respect and protection of the right to freedom of expression, regardless of medium."
Source: FIDHSource: FIDH
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.