Brussels, 25/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 24 September, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called on Vietnam to immediately release three bloggers who have been sentenced to “particularly severe” imprisonment ranging from 4-12 years, as well as several years of probation. “The EU recalls the fundamental right of all persons to hold and freely express their opinions in a peaceful manner, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a party”, Ashton's spokesperson said. Ashton has asked Vietnam to respect its international obligations.
The bloggers, Nguyen Van Hai, Ta Phong Tan and Phan Thanh Hai, were sentenced in Ho Chi Minh City on 24 September to 12, 10 and 4 years of imprisonment respectively, followed by 5, 3 and 3 years of probation, for propaganda against the state for having criticised the leaders and the party. (CG/transl.fl)