CORRESPONDENCE - 85A COMBINED REPORTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN VIETNAM 2012

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VIETNAM Political Prisoners and Detainees There continued to be no precise estimates of the number of political prisoners. The government reportedly held more than 100 political detainees at year's end, although some international observers claimed there were more (see also section I.d., Arbitrary Arrest). Diplomatic sources reported the existence of four reeducation centers in the country holding approximately 4,000 prisoners. 10 For example, on February 8, authorities arrested Vu Quang Thuan, democracy activist and chairperson of the Vietnam Restoration Movement, upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City for propagandizing against the state. He awaited trial at year's end. On December 23, authorities arrested and detained Viet Khang (also known as Vo Minh Tri) after he composed and sang two songs to express his view on the government's handling of the dispute with China regarding sovereignty in the South China Sea (East Sea). At year's end his detention reportedly continued in Ho Chi Minh City. At year's end dissident Nguyen Ba Dang, a member of the People's Democratic Party, awaited trial. Police had arrested him in January 2010 in Hai Duong Province for distributing antistate propaganda. In March the Tra Vinh Province Appeals Court upheld the original sentences of three members of the United Workers - Farmers Organization - -nine years' imprisonment for Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung and seven years' imprisonment for Do Thi Minh Hanh and Doan Huy Chuong - -whose convictions were for causing public disorder to oppose the government. Police had arrested them for distributing pamphlets in February 2010 that called on citizens to advocate for democracy and freedom of assembly and to fight attempted invasions from China. In September the Dong Nai Province People's Court sentenced Pham Thi Phuong, a member of the Vietnam Populist Party, to 11 years in prison for activities to overthrow the government. Authorities had arrested her and her husband, Pham Ba Huy, in Ho Chi Minh City in April 2010 for reportedly planning a campaign to bomb statues throughout the city. At year's end Pham Ba Huy continued to await trial.