Vietnam: Bloggers arrested for criticizing China

Vietnam is continuing its crackdown against bloggers.Early morning on September 3rd blogger Nguyen Nhu Quynh, asleep with her young child was arrested by armed security personnel.In July blogger Nguyen Tien Trung was arrested for his free speech activism.

According to Reporters Sans Frontières

“The Vietnamese authorities have arrested another blogger, Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, who follows Bui Thanh Hieu (a blogger arrested on 27 August), Pham Doan Trang (28 August), Nguyen Tien Trung (July) and Dien Cay (April 2008). She was arrested at around midnight on 1 September on charges of violating national security laws and “interfering in state interests.””

Quynh, who blogs under the name “Me Nam” had posted entires criticizing China in her blog. She called her government to shut down a bauxite mine project which is largely being conducted by a Chinese company and also commented on Vietnam and China's dispute over South China Sea islands-Spratly and Paracel.Quynh rejects China's cliam over the territory.

Reuters reports that along with bloggign against China Quynh was also a meber of “t-shirt campaign” against China.

“They promoted a campaign to print and give away T-shirts that said “SOS, keep green and keep Vietnam's security” and “Stop bauxite. No China. The Spratlys and Paracels belong to Vietnam.””

Blogger Bui Thanh Hieu who was involved in the “t-shirt campaign” was also arrested but later released.

Meanwhile Quynh's mother has appealed for her release.

“”Help us to get her free!” Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan told AFP in a tearful telephone conversation from the southern coastal city of Nha Trang, where her daughter Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, 30, has been held since Wednesday.”

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