Viet Nam: Lead a union, go to prison

Viet Nam: Lead a union, go to prison

Two days after Tran Quoc Hien was chosen as spokesperson for the United Workers-Farmers Organization (UWFO) in January 2007, he was arrested. The Vietnamese authorities allege Tran Quoc Hien and his accomplices incited demonstrations and posted "distorted" articles on the Internet. On 15 May 2007, Tran Quoc Hien was sentenced to five years' imprisonment plus two years' probation. Amnesty International does not know where he is. Viet Nam does not allow independent trade unions. Peaceful dissenting activists and government critics face arrest, imprisonment, house arrest, surveillance and harassment.