Clinton Is Urged to Confront Vietnam on Human Rights [-Repression in Vietnam]

Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton spoke with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, center, and his wife, Tran Thanh Kiem. (Damir Sagolj/Reuters)

October 29, 2010
By SETH MYDANS
The New York Times

“In a country where the state controls all traditional media outlets, independent bloggers have emerged as important sources of news, information and social commentary” - Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch

BANGKOK — The Vietnamese government has arrested or convicted a half-dozen dissidents and bloggers in the days before a visit to Hanoi by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to the United States Embassy and human rights groups.

Washington has often voiced its concern over human rights issues in Vietnam, and the latest actions drew sharp criticism from some members of Congress as well as a statement from the United States Embassy in Hanoi urging their release.

Congress members and human rights groups are urging Mrs. Clinton to speak out for human rights while she is in Hanoi on Friday and Saturday for a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders.

Three dissidents have been convicted on charges of causing public disorder, and three bloggers have been arrested at a time of increased pressure on critics. Many analysts say the clampdown is intended to silence debate before a Communist Party congress in January.