Vietnam deplores EU interference in rights lawyer case

(HANOI) - Vietnam Tuesday deplored "interference" by European countries which denounced the arrest of human rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh.

The statement by the European Union heads of mission in Hanoi "is not objective and interferes in the internal affairs of Vietnam," foreign ministry spokesman Le Dung said.

"Trying people who break the law is necessary and normal in every country in the world, including in the EU ... to ensure national security, social order and the safety of the people," he said.

According to Vietnamese media, Dinh was arrested on June 13 for anti-state propaganda. He has already been struck off by the bar association in Ho Chi Minh City, the communist country's commercial capital.

The EU heads of mission on Monday expressed "grave concern" over Dinh's arrest and "the sanctioning of his right to peaceful exercise of freedom of expression."

The statement said while Vietnam had made significant progress in improving conditions for its citizens, "there remain serious concerns about recent developments in the fields of civil and political rights, in particular the right to freedom of expression."

"The EU heads of mission reiterate the call to the government of Vietnam to release speedily Mr Dinh and all non-violent detainees who have peacefully exercised their right to freedom of expression."

The heads of mission represent the European Commission and 20 of the 27 member nations.

According to the official Vietnam News Agency, the ministry of public security had last week demanded that the United States not interfere in the country's internal affairs. The US State Department had denounced the arrest.

Since his arrest, the authorities have accused him of "collusion" with the "reactionary leaders" of exiled political parties or organisations banned in Vietnam.

Dinh, 40, is alleged to have taken part in a project to write a new constitution. He is also accused of exploiting public reaction to a controversial bauxite mining project that has provoked a rare outburst of opposition in a country where public criticism of the government is rare.

According to local media, the police also say Dinh took advantage of court cases against fellow rights lawyers and a blogger, using them to convey "anti-state propaganda."