The mother of an imprisoned Vietnamese rights activist on Wednesday appealed to the EU to attend her daughter’s appeal hearing.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan’s daughter Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, also known by her pen name Mother Mushroom was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in June on anti-state charges.

Quynh’s appeal would be heard in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on Thursday.

“I believe that attending the trial will provide you a good opportunity to have an insight into the trial proceedings and human rights situation in Vietnam,’’ wrote Lan in a letter to the EU delegation in Vietnam.

Lan condemned Khanh Hoa’s authorities, who she accused of trying to silence news of the trial.

“Quynh did not know the day of the appeal on November 30 until I told her while visiting her nine days ago they have not invited me to attend her trial,’’ Lan said.

A European diplomat said the EU had requested, but not received permission, to attend the trial.

Quynh’s activism won her the U.S. State Department’s Women of Courage award in March.

Vietnam, which is ruled by a single party communist state, has outlawed dissent against the government.

An Amnesty International report in 2016 listed 91 prisoners of conscience in the country, although the government denies holding political prisoners.

NAN