Write for human rights at CR library on Dec. 10

Arrested in 2021 at his home and without a warrant, two weeks after his first child was born and now serving a five-year prison term for tax evasion in Vietnam, Dong Dinh Bach’s trial was considered unfair by the United Nations.

His wife was not allowed to be at the trial and no evidence was presented of his alleged crime. Bach was not allowed to present his defense in court. Bach is an environmental defense lawyer and had founded the Law and Policy of Sustainable Development Research Centre which has since been closed.

In our country most nonprofits can engage in freedom of speech and we must allow that to continue. In the meantime, I will write to free Dang Dinh Bach from his unjust prison term. Please join me at the Cedar Rapids Public Library on Human Rights Day, Dec. 10 as part of Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. we will write for 10 individuals from 10 different countries who face extreme consequences for exercising their human rights.

Let’s show that in pursuit of justice, the pen is mightier than the sword.

Bruce R. Bachmann

Cedar Rapids