DECEMBER 14, 2021- The U.S Department of State (DOS) released a press statement condemning the conviction of Vietnamese author and journalist, Pham Doan Trang. This statement comes after the conclusion of her trial in which the Vietnamese court found her guilty under Article 117 of the Penal Code for “propagandizing against the State”. She was sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment.

Department Spokesperson of the DOS, Ned Price, affirms that “[the] United States calls on the Vietnamese government to release Trang, who has been recognized internationally for her work to advance human rights and good governance in Vietnam, and to allow all individuals in Vietnam to express their views freely and without fear of retaliation.”