Hội Văn Bút Quốc tế (PEN International) và Tổ chức Quốc tế tranh đấu cho tự do ngôn luận IFEX (International Freedom of Expression Exchange) vừa đồng loạt lên tiếng cho trường hợp ông Điếu Cày - Nguyễn Hoàng Hải và Cô Phạm Thanh Nghiên.
Được biết, từ tháng 04/2009, ông Điếu Cày mặc dù chỉ bị kết án vì tội danh trốn thuế tại Sài Gòn, vẫn bị đưa về trại giam Cái Tàu, U Minh thuộc tỉnh Cà Mau. Đây là trại giam ở nơi tận cùng đất nước, điều kiện khắc nghiệt, phương tiện giao thông để gia đình thăm nuôi rất khó khăn. Hành động này của nhà cầm quyền Việt Nam chứng tỏ họ cố tình lưu đày một người yêu nước và hạn chế việc chăm sóc của gia đình ông.
Trường hợp của cô Phạm Thanh Nghiên cũng rất bi đát. Cho đến bây giờ sau 6 tháng bị giam cầm vì làm đơn xin biểu tình không được nhà nước cho phép và cô đã tọa kháng tại gia. Đến nay, mẹ và anh trai cô cũng chưa được đi thăm. Không biết tình hình hiện tại cô ra sao.
Cùng ta cũng biết, ngày 08/5 vừa qua tại Geneva, Việt Nam phải ra trước Đại hội đồng Liên Hiệp Quốc để điều trần về nhân quyền. Việt Nam đã bị nhiều nước cáo buộc về những hành vi vi phạm nhân quyền nghiêm trọng. Họ đã phải thú nhận những sai sót nhưng đổ tội cho cấp dưới và vẫn cho rằng các báo cáo là vô căn cứ và thiếu thiện chí với Việt Nam. Gần đây nhất, Ủy ban Đối ngoại Hạ viện Hoa Kỳ ra Nghị quyết đòi đưa Việt Nam trở vào trong danh sách các nước cần đặc biệt quan tâm (CPC) với mục tiêu "gửi thông điệp rằng tình trạng hiện tại ở Việt Nam là không thể chấp nhận được".
Bản tiếng Anh của Pen International:
The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is alarmed by reports that imprisoned writers Nguyen Hoang Hai and Pham Thanh Nghien (f) are at risk of ill-treatment, in poor health, and denied full access to family visits. They are part of a group of writers who were detained during a crackdown against peaceful dissent in Vietnam in August and September 2008. International PEN continues to call for their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights to which Vietnam is a signatory. It seeks assurances of their well being, urges that they are given full access to all necessary medical care and are allowed family visits as a matter of urgency.
According to PEN's information, there are particular concerns for the welfare of two writers who remain detained following a crackdown on peaceful protests carried out by dissidents during August and September 2008. They are:
- Nguyen Hoang Hai (pen name: Dieu Cay), an independent journalist and blogger, sentenced on 10 September 2008 to two and a half years' imprisonment by a Court at Ho Chi Minh city for alleged ‘tax fraud', although he is widely believed to be targeted for his criticism of the Vietnamese government. On 1 April 2009, Nguyen Hoang Hai's family were told that he had been transferred to Cai Tau prison, in U Minh, which is nine hours from where the family lives and where it is difficult to obtain a visitor's permit. There are reports that Cai Tau prison is notorious for the brutal treatment of prisoners and alleged corruption. The family believes that Nguyen Hoang Hai was transferred there to limit the frequency of their visits, and are very concerned for his well-being.
- Pham Thanh Nghien (f), Internet writer and independent journalist, detained without charge since 11 November 2008. She is believed to be held under Article 88 of the Criminal Code on charges of ‘propaganda against the state', but has not yet been brought to trial. When arrested, she was reportedly suffering from severe migraines due to previous beatings by local authorities in the streets near her home. Pham Thanh Nghien's family has not been able to visit her since her arrest, and they have no information on her health.
Two of the seven writers still in prison as a result of the Vietnamese government's severe crackdown on peaceful dissidents last August and September are being denied visitation rights and are prone to ill treatment, warns International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC). WiPC is asking you to write a letter to the authorities to demand their release.
On 1 April, the family of Nguyen Hoang Hai, better known by the pseudonym Dieu Cay, discovered the writer and activist had been transferred from Saigon to Cai Tau in U Minh, a prison that is not only nine hours away from the family but is also known for corruption and violent treatment of prisoners. In one recent case, a prisoner was beaten so badly by the prison warden he is now in a vegetative state, according to a report from the prisoner's family. Dieu Cay's family believes the transfer was meant to restrict their visits and is deeply concerned about his well-being.
Dieu Cay was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on tax fraud charges, after a closed trial, in September 2008. As Dieu Cay's tax fraud charges were brought down five days after his arrest and Vietnamese citizens accused of personal tax fraud can pay fines to avoid imprisonment, the case against Dieu Cay appears to be based on trumped-up charges. The internet blogger, who is the founder of the Free Journalists Club in Vietnam, is known for his critical stance of Vietnam's anti-democratic practices and human rights as well as China's foreign policy.
The family of Pham Thanh Nghien, an independent online journalist, is also very concerned about the state of Nghien's health. Nghien was arrested in November 2008 for alleged "propaganda against the state" and has yet to face a trial. At the time of her arrest, Nghien suffered severe migraines related to previous beatings by local authorities. Her current condition is unknown as Nghien's family has been denied access to her.
To write a letter to Vietnamese authorities expressing concern about the treatment of Nghien and Dieu Cay, and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for exercising their right to free expression, follow the instructions on
WiPC's website
