Human Rights Watch has called for Vietnam to drop all charges and release a prominent land rights activist facing trial in Hanoi tomorrow.

The organisation on its website said Can Thi Theu was arrested by Vietnamese authorities on June 10 and charged with “disrupting public order” after she and others staged peaceful protests against land confiscation.

She was also accused of urging people from Duong Noi ward to boycott the national election in May.

After being arrested, Can Thi Theu reportedly carried out a hunger strike for more than 10 days.

Meanwhile, pictures from news agency Reuters have showed a crowd of Catholics gathering for a mass prayer at Thai Ha church in Hanoi yesterday.

The crowds held signs calling for Theu’s justice and freedom in the upcoming trial.

– TiVi Tuan-san