English PEN joins PEN International in protesting the 30-month sentence and heavy fine handed down to blogger and human rights lawyer Le Quoc Quan for alleged tax evasion on 2 October 2013. PEN believes the charges to be politically motivated and that he has been penalised for his human rights work. We are therefore calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
According to our Vietnamese colleagues, Le Quoc Quan‘s wife was able to visit the camp where her husband is being held shortly after he was sentenced, on 8 October. Quan was allowed to talk to his wife and his mother for about 30 minutes, but was behind a screen so unable to see them. His wife reported that he is in poor health, but that his morale remains high, and that he had asked her to relay his sincere thanks to friends and fellow writers overseas for their ongoing support.
For further information on Le Quoc Quan’s case, please visit the PEN International website.
TAKE ACTION:
Please send appeals:
- Protesting the 30-month sentence and heavy fine handed down to blogger and human rights lawyer Le Quoc Quan for alleged tax evasion on 2 October 2013;
- Stating that you believe the charges to be politically motivated and intended to prevent him continuing his legitimate human rights activities and from exercising his right to freedom of expression;
- Calling for his immediate and unconditional release;
- Seeking assurances that, while he remains imprisoned, Le Quoc Quan receives adequate medical treatment.
Appeals to:
His Excellency Truong Tan Sang
President of the Socialist Republic of
Viet Nam
Hung Vuong street
Ba Dinh district
Ha Noi
Viet Nam
Mr Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister
1 Hoang Hoa Tham street
Ba Dinh district
Ha Noi
Viet Nam
Mr Phan Binh Minh
Minister of Foreign Affairs
1 Ton That Dam steet
Ba Dinh district
Ha Noi
Viet Nam
Please note that there are no fax numbers available for the Vietnamese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for Vietnam in your country to forward your appeals. It would also be advantageous to ask your country’s diplomatic representatives in Vietnam to intervene in the case.
His Excellency Mr Vu Quang Minh
Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
12-14 Victoria Road,
London
W8 5RD
Email: consular@vietnamembassy.org.uk
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