In the ongoing aftermath of demonstrations that rocked the country last weekend, hundreds of people have been detained and dozens now face criminal charges. Authorities, who expressed shock at some of the violence and vandalism that happened in some places, allege some of it was instigated and even pre-planned. The demonstrations first broke out last Sunday with thousands taking to the streets across the country, protesting draft laws on special economic zones (SEZs) and cybersecurity. They gathered in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City as well as other provinces including Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai with banners and signs calling for the draft law on SEZs, and to a lesser extent, the cybersecurity bill, to be scrapped. In several places, the protests turned violent, as people started blocking roads and clashing with the police. In Binh Thuan, where the protest became the most intense, hundreds stormed the office of the provincial People’s Committee, pulled down the main gate, vandalized the building, burnt down vehicles and threw rocks at the police. The violent demonstration also continued on Monday when protesters vandalized and looted the local fire police’s headquarters, blocked National Highway 1 and threw rocks, bricks and petrol bombs at the police. The causes The demonstrations are reported to have been triggered primarily by a particular provision in the draft law on SEZs that would allow foreign investors to lease land for 99 years, while the maximum period under the current Land Law is 70 years. On a number… [Read full story]
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