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UN Condemns Vietnam's Crackdown on Freedom of Expression

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - U.N. human rights bodies accuse Vietnam of violating the
   International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by clamping down
   on freedom of expression and denying critics due process and a fair
   trial.

   The sentences given to three independent journalists earlier this week
   are the latest example of a further erosion of freedom of expression in
   Vietnam. The men were found guilty of national security offenses and
   sentenced to up to 15 years' imprisonment.

   U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani says an increasing
   number of independent journalists, bloggers, online commentators and
   human rights defenders are being arbitrarily detained based on vaguely
   defined laws.

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