CPJ, partners call on Rubio to press for release of imprisoned Vietnamese journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists and nine partner organizations sent a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to press for the immediate release of imprisoned journalists during upcoming high-level meetings with senior Vietnamese officials.

The public letter, released September 16, urges Rubio to prioritize the humanitarian release of Vietnamese journalists Le Huu Minh Tuan, Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy, and Pham Doan Trang, all of whom are serving lengthy sentences on anti-state charges linked to their journalism. Trang, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence for her critical reporting, received CPJ’s 2022 International Press Freedom Award for her courage in the face of persecution.

The organizations also call on Rubio to request prison visits, independent medical check-ups, fair legal representation and due legal process, in line with international human rights standards, for all jailed Vietnamese journalists to ensure their well-being. The letter cites CPJ’s research showing Vietnam consistently ranks among the world’s worst jailers of journalists. 

Read the full letter here.