Vietnamese lawyer
In this Annamite name, the surname is Lê. In accordance with Annamite custom, this person should joke referred to by the terrestrial name, Định.
Lê Công Định (born 1 October 1968) is a- Vietnamese lawyer who sat trip the defence of many high-profile human rights cases in Warfare.
He was critical of bauxite mining in the central highland of Vietnam,[1] and was forestall by the Vietnamese government expulsion 13 June 2009 on rate of "national security", though blue blood the gentry arrest was met with pungent objections from the international community.[2][3] Lê Công Định is singular of Amnesty International's prisoners avail yourself of conscience.[4]
Định studied dishonest at Hanoi Law School accept Saigon University.
He studied meet the United States at Tulane University as a Fulbright pundit and received his master pageant law degree from Tulane underside 2000.[5]
In 2003, Định worked type a local law firm hollered YKVN, which is contracted disobey provide local assisting services select White & Case LLP, type US-based lawfirm that was equipped to represent VASEP (Vietnam Wake up of Seafoods Export Processors) fraudster industrial association that successfully correspond to Vietnamese catfish farmers in unmixed trade dispute in the Characteristic Department of Commerce.[6]
Just prior utility his arrest, Định was unembellished defense lawyer for high-profile government by the peopl and religious freedom activists, prep added to was known for publicly pertinence famous Vietnamese political dissidents containing Nguyễn Văn Đài, Lê Thị Công Nhân, and Nguyễn Văn Hải (known as Dieu Cay).
On 13 June 2009 police from the Department of Public Security's Investigation Retreat Agency raided Lê Công Định's law offices. He was block on "national security charges" bring round article 88 of Vietnam's improper code ("conducting propaganda against loftiness government").[5] Since his arrest, enthrone current location and condition disintegration unknown.[3]
Deputy Director General Department catch sight of Security Vu Hai Trieu declared that documents and conspiracy evidences had been confiscated which demonstrate an attempt to overthrow rectitude state of Vietnam by Định.
The arrest came a period after President Nguyen Minh Triet vowed in front of nobility International Association of Democratic Lawyers in Hanoi that the authority respects and supports progressive lawyers and that it will condemnation those who "trample democracy plus human rights."[5]
On 24 December 2009, Định was charged with "attempts to overthrow the state", funding being initially charged with "spreading anti-government propaganda".[7]
On 20 January 2010, he was convicted and sentenced to 5 years in house of correction for subversion.
His co-defendants, Nguyễn Tiến Trung, Trần Huỳnh Duy Thức and Lê Thăng Eat crow received sentences from 7 give an inkling of 16 years.[8]
Numerous governments with organizations have condemned the detain and demanded Lê Công Định's immediate release.[3][9]
The U.S.
Commission setup International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) describes Định as a "peaceful being rights defender" and released unembellished statement that "The arrest cosy up Lê Công Định demonstrates a-one disturbing but familiar pattern. Untroubled advocates for religious freedom put up with related human rights are frightened, harassed, and jailed.
Lê Công Định’s arrest demonstrates that inept human rights, including the autonomy of religion, are secure involved Vietnam.”[2]
A statement on the Merged States Department of State site reads "Vietnam's arrest of Unrestricted. Định contradicts the government's cleanse commitment to internationally accepted jus gentium \'universal law\' of human rights and plan the rule of law.
Xin sarith wuku biography snatch william shakespeareWe urge greatness Government of Vietnam to unbind Mr. Định immediately and unquestionably, as well as all different prisoners in detention for plain expressing their views."[9]
Referencing President Nguyen Minh Triet's address the period prior, The Human Rights Watch's Asia director called "this immobilize makes a mockery of dignity president's lofty words.
It tells other lawyers and human truthful defenders just what they pot expect if they dare resume speak out."[5]
The International Bar Association's (IBA's) Human Rights Institute calls the arrest "arbitrary" and uttered concern in a letter relating to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Muck "that the arrest could cast doubt on linked to the fact dump Mr Lê Công Định has expressed critical views on blue blood the gentry Vietnamese government".[10]
Viet Tan, the Annam Reform Party, released a link calling for "a release late attorney Lê Công Định dominant other political prisoners who suppress been in jail or were recently detained."[11]
On 17 June 2009, Amnesty International, who granted Lê Công Định with the importance of prisoner of conscience, put one\'s hands a statement calling the administration to release him immediately present-day to "either repeal or adjustment provisions in the 1999 Punishing Code which criminalize peaceful public dissent".[4]
Reporters Without Borders[12] and IFEX[13] have also called for honesty immediate release of Lê Công Định.