Vietnam to try democracy activists for subversion

Source: bbc

Four democracy activists have gone on trial in Vietnam, accused of plotting to overthrow the communist government.

Three of the defendants, including prominent human rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh, face charges that could potentially carry the death penalty.

They are said to have created anti-state documents and internet blogs.

The case has drawn strong criticism from rights groups abroad, who see it as a sign of an increasing clampdown on democracy and freedom of expression.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8468715.stm

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Western ideas 'led to attempt to overthrow Vietnam government'

The first to testify was Dinh, who acknowledged violating Article 79 by joining the Democratic Party of Vietnam. "The purpose of the party was to call for a multiparty system, political pluralism and a new state," he said. "During my studies overseas, I was influenced by western attitudes toward democracy, freedom and human rights."

Dinh, who studied law at Tulane university in the US state of Louisiana on a Fulbright scholarship, acknowledged receiving a draft of a proposed new Vietnamese constitution from DPV leaders and attending a three-day seminar in Thailand on non-violent political change organised by Viet Tan, an international pro-democracy network with members inside and outside Vietnam.

Vietnam's government considers Viet Tan a terrorist organisation, but US officials say there is no evidence to support that view.

Viet Tan issued a statement condemning the "arbitrary charges" against the democracy activists, who it said were simply exercising their right to promote non-violent change.

the guardian, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/20/vietnam-lawyer-western-ideas

to war with Vietnam. We can force them to accept Democracy!

Vietnamese workers are paid less and have worse working conditions than the chinese workers. the centuries old conflict between the chinese and the vietnamese is now over wages.