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About Viet Tan The mission of Viet Tan is to overcome dictatorship, build the foundation for a sustainable democracy, and demand justice and human rights for the Vietnamese people through a nonviolent struggle based on civic participation. viettan.org/en facebook.com/vt4democracy twitter @viettan
TABLE OF CONTENTS VIETNAM S VOICES OF CONSCIENCE... 4 BUI THI MINH HANG... 5 CAO VAN TINH... 5 CHU MANH SON... 6 CU HUY HA VU... 6 DANG XUAN DIEU... 7 DAU VAN DUONG... 7 DO THI MINH HANH... 8 DOAN HUY CHUONG... 8 DUONG KIM KHAI... 9 HO DUC HOA... 9 HO THI BICH KHUONG... 10 HO VAN OANH... 10 HOANG PHONG... 11 LE CONG DINH... 11 LE THANG LONG... 12 LE VAN THANH... 12 LU VAN BAY... 13 NGUYEN BINH THANH... 13 NGUYEN CHI THANH... 14 NGUYEN DINH CUONG... 14 NGUYEN HOANG QUOC HUNG... 15 NGUYEN MANH SON... 15 NGUYEN NGOC CUONG... 16 NGUYEN NGOC TUONG THI... 16 NGUYEN PHONG... 17 NGUYEN THANH TAM... 17 NGUYEN TIEN TRUNG... 18 NGUYEN TRUNG TON... 18 NGUYEN VAN DUYET... 19 NGUYEN VAN HAI... 19 NGUYEN VAN LIA... 20 NGUYEN VAN LY... 20 NGUYEN VAN OAI... 21 NGUYEN VAN TUC... 21 NGUYEN XUAN ANH... 22 NGUYEN XUAN NGHIA... 22 NONG HUNG ANH... 23 PAULUS LE SON... 23 PHAM NGOC HOA... 24 PHAM THANH NGHIEN... 24 PHAM VAN THONG... 25 PHAM VAN TROI... 25 PHAN THANH HAI... 26 TA PHONG TAN... 26 THAI VAN DUNG... 27 TRAN ANH KIM... 27 TRAN HOAI AN... 28 TRAN HUU DUC... 28 TRAN HUYNH DUY THUC... 29 TRAN MINH NHAT... 29 TRAN THI THUY... 30 TRAN VU ANH BINH... 30 TRUONG MINH DUC... 31 VI DUC HOI... 31 VO MINH TRI... 32 VU DUC TRUNG... 32 www.viettan.org/en 3
Vietnam s Voices of Conscience These Vietnamese men and women come from a cross section of backgrounds, professions and political views. Often times suffering in silence under the regime s repressive policies, they are all part of a larger network of activists striving to change the country for the better. They share a common struggle for freedom and democracy. For as true patriots, human rights defenders and courageous, peaceful social activists, they are Vietnam s Voices of Conscience. Herein are summaries of individuals in prison for political charges. Many more are currently under house arrest, having recently completed a jail sentence or just summarily quarantined by authorities. This is only a partial list of political prisoners in Vietnam based on publicly available information. Viet Tan strives to regularly update this document. Every individual profiled has made his or her views publicly known. International support, therefore, is not only desirable, but also the best guarantor for the safety of these brave individuals. Suggested actions: 1) Raise with the Hanoi government the specific cases of individuals in jail, under house arrest, or otherwise persecuted. 2) Write to these individuals. Even if the letter is intercepted by authorities, at least the jailers will know that the person being persecuted is not anonymous. 3) Visit these individuals. A visit to an activist in jail or under house arrest by a parliamentarian, journalist, or friend would represent an important show of support and opportunity to hear first-hand the status of human rights in Vietnam. Compiled by Viet Tan www.viettan.org/en 4
Bui Thi Minh Hang Birth date: July 20, 1964 Activity: Social activist Date of arrest: November 27, 2011 Sentence: Placed under 2 years re-education without trial Charge: Causing public disorder (Article 245) Current location: Thanh Ha Education Center, Vinh Phuc Province Bui Thi Minh Hang was a constant presence at the weekly anti-china protests in Hanoi and Saigon during summer and fall 2011. She was detained by police while demonstrating in support of other peaceful protestors who were recently arrested. Police immediately ordered Hang to two-years of re-education under Ordinance 44 without a trial or any due process. Police have also harassed her son and family friends. Cao Van Tinh Birth date: September 3, 1974 Activity: Land rights activist Date of arrest: February 22, 2011 Sentence: Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment (later reduced to 4.5 years) followed by 4 years house arrest on May 30, 2011 Current location: Ben Tre Detention Center, Ben Tre Province A resident of Can Tho, Cao Van Tinh has been involved in land rights campaigns since 2001. He participated in the 27-day peaceful sit-in outside government offices in Saigon in 2007. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the Hanoi government s detention and conviction of Cao Van Tinh and 6 other activists is in violation of international law. www.viettan.org/en 5
Chu Manh Son Birth date: 1989 Activity: Social activist Date of arrest: August 2, 2011 Current location: Nghi Kim Detention Center, Nghe An Province Chu Manh Son is a young student who was actively involved with the anti-china protests in Hanoi during the summer of 2011. He was arrested as part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). Cu Huy Ha Vu Birth date: December 2, 1957 Activity: Human rights lawyer Date of arrest: November 5, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on April 4, 2011 Current location: Prison Camp 5, Thanh Hoa Province Cu Huy Ha Vu is a prominent government critic and human rights lawyer. He filed unprecedented lawsuits against the government--including suing Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung for violating laws on environmental protection, national security and cultural heritage by approving a Chinese-run bauxite mining project in the Central Highlands. His law firm provided legal assistance to democracy activists and, prior to his arrest, to six Catholics from Con Dau parish who had protested government confiscation of Church properties. www.viettan.org/en 6
Dang Xuan Dieu Birth date: July 8, 1979 Activity: Blogger, social activist, engineer Date of arrest: July 30, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Dang Xuan Dieu is an engineer and community organizer, active in mobilizing access to education for poor students and assistance for victims of typhoons and disabled persons. He is a contributing citizen journalist for Vietnam Redemptorist News and is a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. He was arrested upon arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon, as part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). Dau Van Duong Birth date: 1986 Activity: Social activist, student Date of arrest: August 2, 2011 Current location: Nghi Kim Detention Center, Nghe An Province Dau Van Duong is a student, previously active with the anti-china protests in Hanoi during the summer of 2011. He signed a petition for Cu Huy Ha Vu, having attended his April 2011 trial, and against bauxite mining. He was arrested as part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). www.viettan.org/en 7
Do Thi Minh Hanh Birth date: 1985 Activity: Labor organizer Date of arrest: February 23, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment on October 27, 2010 Charge: Disrupting security and order against the people s administration (Article 89) Current location: Tra Vinh Province Do Thi Minh Hanh has been organizing farmers and workers and reporting on their struggles since she was 18. In February 2010, she was arrested for distributing leaflets at a shoe factory in Tra Vinh province where 10,000 workers eventually went on strike. Her health has reportedly deteriorated significantly in prison. Doan Huy Chuong Birth date: 1985 Activity: Labor organizer Date of arrest: February 13, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment on October 27, 2010 Charge: Disrupting security and order against the people s administration (Article 89) Current location: Tra Vinh Province Doan Huy Chuong (aka Nguyen Tan Hoang) is a founding member of the United Workers-Farmers Organization (UWFO). He was previously imprisoned for 18 months in 2006 for promoting worker rights. He was again arrested in February 2010 for helping to organize a strike by 10,000 workers at the My Phong shoe factory and having contact with the overseas-based Committee to Protect Vietnamese Workers. www.viettan.org/en 8
Duong Kim Khai Birth date: June 17, 1958 Activity: Pastor in the Mennonite Church, land rights activist Date of arrest: August 16, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 6 years imprisonment (later reduced to 5 years) followed by 5 years house arrest on May 30, 2011 Current location: Xuan Loc Prison, Dong Nai Province Duong Kim Khai is a leader of the Cattle Shed Congregation, a house church affiliated with the Mennonite Church. A member of Viet Tan, Pastor Khai has been active in helping farmers petition for return of confiscated lands. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the Hanoi government s detention and conviction of Duong Kim Khai and 6 other activists is in violation of international law. Ho Duc Hoa Birth date: March 6, 1974 Activity: Blogger, community organizer Date of arrest: July 30, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Ho Duc Hoa is a community organizer and a contributing journalist for Vietnam Redemptorist News. A member of the Vinh Diocese, Hoa is also a member of the John Paul II Group for Pro-Life and is active in mobilizing access to education for poor students and assistance for victims of typhoons and disabled persons. His detention is part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). www.viettan.org/en 9
Ho Thi Bich Khuong Birth date: 1967 Activity: Writer Date of arrest: November 15, 2011 Sentence: Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on December 29, 2011 Current location: Nghe An Province Ho Thi Bich Khuong is one of Vietnam s foremost advocates for farmers victimized by government land grabs. She has written extensively about their plight and published detailed accounts online. She was previously arrested in April 2007 and detained for two years for abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state. She is a recipient of Human Rights Watch s Hellman/Hammett award. Ho Van Oanh Birth date: August 9, 1985 Activity: Social activist Date of arrest: August 16, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Ho Van Oanh is a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and was previously detained in April 2011 while trying to attend the trial of legal scholar Cu Huy Ha Vu. Hoa was most recently detained while visiting a friend in Saigon. His arrest is part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). www.viettan.org/en 10
Hoang Phong Age: 26 years old Activity: Social activist Date of arrest: December 29, 2011 Current location: Nghe An Detention Center, Nghe An Province Hoang Phong is a community organizer and member of the John Paul II Group for Pro-Life. He is active in mobilizing against local authorities harassment of students of faith and most recently organized candle vigils at the Vinh Diocese. Phong was also arrested in August 2011 but released after three days. His detention is part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). Le Cong Dinh Birth date: October 1, 1968 Activity: Attorney Date of arrest: June 13, 2009 Sentence: Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on January 20, 2010 Current location: Chi Hoa Prison, Saigon A renowned commercial lawyer and former Fullbright scholar, Le Cong Dinh successfully represented Vietnamese interests in a landmark trade suit with the United States. He wrote articles on political reform that were published by progressive newspapers in Vietnam. Beginning in 2007, he provided legal counsel to prominent dissidents on trial. He was convicted of subversion in 2010 based on his participation in the Democratic Party of Vietnam and attendance at a training session on nonviolent struggle organized by Viet Tan. www.viettan.org/en 11
Le Thang Long Birth date: 1967 Activity: Businessman Date of arrest: June 4, 2009 Sentence: Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment (later reduced to 3.5 years) followed by 3 years house arrest on January 20, 2010 Current location: B34 Prison Camp, Saigon Le Thang Long is a telecommunications engineer and graduate of the Vietnamese Polytechnic University. He founded a mobile phone company called EIS Service Co. that was listed on the stock market in Saigon. In 2007, Le Thang Long filed an application to run as an independent candidate in the National Assembly election which was refused by the Fatherland Front, an offshoot of the Vietnamese Communist Party. Le Van Thanh Birth date: 36 years old Activity: Falun Gong practitioner Date of arrest: June 11, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment on November 10, 2011 Charge: Illegally using information in computer networks (Article 226) Current location: Unknown From a farm outside of Hanoi, Le Van Thanh (and his brother-in-law Vu Duc Trung) operated a shortwave radio broadcast called Sound of Hope revealing human rights abuses in China. He was arrested even though Falun Gong is not explicitly banned in Vietnam. www.viettan.org/en 12
Lu Van Bay Age: 59 years old Activity: Blogger Date of arrest: March 26, 2011 Sentence: Sentenced to 4 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on August 22, 2011 Current location: unknown Lu Van Bay is a prolific writer whose articles have been published in leading Vietnamese-language websites based abroad. As a former political prisoner--he was detained for six years in 1977 for counter-revolutionary activities --Lu Van Bay wrote under pen names to maintain his personal safety. Nguyen Binh Thanh Birth date: 1955 Activity: Electrician Date of arrest: February 2007 Sentence: Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment followed by 2 years house arrest on March 30, 2007 Current location: K4 Prison Camp, Dong Nai Province A member of Bloc 8406 and the Vietnam Progression Party, Nguyen Binh Thanh was tried together with Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Phong, Le Thi Le Hang and Hoang Thi Anh Dao on March 30, 2007 for their peaceful political activities. For assisting with the production of the unsanctioned newspaper Tu Do Ngon Luan (Freedom of Speech), Nguyen Binh Thanh was charged with disseminating propaganda against the state. www.viettan.org/en 13
Nguyen Chi Thanh Birth date: June 17, 1958 Activity: Evangelist in the Mennonite Church, land rights activist Date of arrest: November 19, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on May 30, 2011 Current location: Ben Tre Detention Center, Ben Tre Province Nguyen Chi Thanh, a bricklayer by profession, is a land rights activist and evangelist in the Mennonite Church. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the Hanoi government s detention and conviction of Nguyen Chi Thanh and 6 other activists is in violation of international law. Nguyen Dinh Cuong Birth date: February 22, 1981 Activity: Blogger, social activist Date of arrest: December 24, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Nguyen Dinh Cuong is an activist with the John Paul II Group for Pro-Life. He also participated in protests against local government seizure of church lands. His detention is part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). www.viettan.org/en 14
Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung Birth date: 1981 Activity: Labor organizer Date of arrest: February 24, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 9 years imprisonment on October 27, 2010 Charge: Disrupting security and order against the people s administration (Article 89) Current location: Unknown Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung is a member of the pro-democracy Bloc 8406 and an activist for worker and farmer rights. He was arrested after distributing leaflets calling for a strike by 10,000 workers at the My Phong shoe factory in Tra Vinh province. Nguyen Manh Son Birth date: 1943 Activity: Blogger Date of arrest: September 2008 Sentence: Sentenced to 3 years, 6 months followed by 3 years house arrest on October 9, 2009 Current location: K1 Prison Camp, Ha Nam Province A former member of the Vietnamese Communist Party, Nguyen Manh Son became a dissident in the late 1980s. From 1995 to 2008, he wrote 22 articles and poems calling for political pluralism and the abolition of Article 4 of the Constitution, which gives monopoly power to the VCP. In September 2008, he participated in the hanging of a banner in Hai Phong calling for the defense of territorial integrity and a multiparty system for Vietnam. www.viettan.org/en 15
Nguyen Ngoc Cuong Age: 55 years old Activity: Land rights activist Date of arrest: April 2011 Sentence: Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment on October 21, 2011 Current location: Dong Nai Province Nguyen Ngoc Cuong publicized the plight of dispossessed farmers by passing out leaflets and giving interviews on online forums. At his trial, he was accused of creating a politically-oriented chat room on Paltalk where he spoke against the people s government, misrepresented the direction and policies of the party and state. Nguyen Ngoc Tuong Thi Age: 25 years old Activity: Land rights activist Date of arrest: April 2011 Sentence: Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment on October 21, 2011 Current location: Dong Nai Province Nguyen Ngoc Tuong Thi helped publicize the plight of dispossessed farmers. Along with his father Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Thi was accused of creating a politically-oriented chat room on Paltalk where they spoke against the people s government, misrepresented the direction and policies of the party and state. www.viettan.org/en 16
Nguyen Phong Birth date: 1974 Activity: Democracy activist Date of arrest: February 2007 Sentence: Sentenced to 6 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on March 30, 2007 Current location: K3 Prison Camp, Thanh Hoa Province Nguyen Phong is a co-founder and first chairman of the Vietnam Progression Party. He authored two articles to the international community calling for more freedom in Vietnam and denouncing actions by the Communist Party of Vietnam that are unconstitutional and contrary to the spirit of the International Declaration of Human rights. Nguyen Thanh Tam Birth date: October 10, 1953 Activity: Farmer, land rights activist Date of arrest: July 20, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on May 30, 2011 Current location: Ben Tre Detention Center, Ben Tre Province Nguyen Thanh Tam is a member of Viet Tan. For the last 20 years, he has helped victims of corruption in Ben Tre province petition for government redress. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the Hanoi government s detention and conviction of Nguyen Thanh Tam and 6 other activists is in violation of international law. www.viettan.org/en 17
Nguyen Tien Trung Birth date: September 16, 1983 Activity: Blogger Date of arrest: July 7, 2009 Sentence: Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on January 20, 2010 Current location: B34 Prison Camp, Saigon Nguyen Tien Trung studied computer engineering at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Rennes, France. While abroad, Trung began his political activities and founded the Assembly of the Vietnamese Youth for Democracy. He also joined the Democratic Party of Vietnam. Shortly after his return to Vietnam in 2008, Trung was drafted into the military and criticized by authorities for refusing to swear allegiance to the Communist Party. Nguyen Trung Ton Birth date: 1971 Activity: Pastor in the Full Gospel Church Date of arrest: November 15, 2011 Sentence: Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment followed by 2 years house arrest on December 29, 2011 Current location: Nghe An Province Nguyen Trung Ton is a leader of a Pentecostal house church. As a result of his evangelical work and advocacy for dispossessed farmers, Pastor Nguyen Trung Ton has often been harassed and even beaten by security police. www.viettan.org/en 18
Nguyen Van Duyet Birth date: September 14, 1980 Activity: Blogger, social activist Date of arrest: August 7, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Nguyen Van Duyet is the President of the Association of Catholic Workers of Vinh in Hanoi. He also attended courses in citizen journalism organized by Vietnam Redemptorist News and regularly writes for the media network, recently covering the trial of legal scholar Cu Huy Ha Vu in April 2011. Nguyen Van Hai Birth date: September 23, 1952 Activity: Blogger Date of arrest: April 19, 2008 Sentence: Sentenced to 2.5 years imprisonment on September 10, 2008; detention period extended without trial Charge: Tax evasion (Article 161) Current location: Cai Tau Prison, Ca Mau Province Writing under the pen name Dieu Cay (peasant s water pipe), Nguyen Van Hai is one of Vietnam s pioneering citizen journalists. Through his Yahoo360 blog, Dieu Cay exposed government corruption, called for freedom of expression and was among the first Vietnamese to criticize China s annexation of the Paracel and Spratly Islands. He was arrested while calling for a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay. Convicted originally for tax evasion, he remains in jail under new charges of anti-state propaganda. www.viettan.org/en 19
Nguyen Van Lia Age: 71 years old Activity: Hoa Hao Buddhism scholar Date of arrest: April 24, 2011 Sentence: Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on December 13, 2011 Charge: Abusing democratic freedoms (Article 258) Current location: An Giang Province Nguyen Van Lia is a scholar in Hoa Hao Buddhism, a sect which has been repressed by authorities. According to state media, he possessed printed materials and CDs and DVDs criticizing the Vietnamese government s religious record. He had previously met in Saigon with the US Consulate and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom to discuss religious violations. Nguyen Van Ly Birth date: May 14, 1946 Activity: Catholic priest Date of arrest: February 19, 2007 Sentence: Sentenced to 8 years imprisonment on March 30, 2007; released on medical parole on March 15, 2010 and re-jailed on July 25, 2011 Current location: K1 Prison Camp, Ha Nam Province Father Nguyen Van Ly has spent over 15 years in prison for the causes of democracy and human rights. Initially arrested in September 1977 and sentenced to 20 years in a labor camp near Hue, he was later released but prohibited from engaging in religious activities. On March 30, 2007, in a broadcasted show trial, authorities muzzled him while he tried to defend himself. He is a one of the founders of Bloc 8406 and past editor of an underground publication. www.viettan.org/en 20
Nguyen Van Oai Birth date: June 18, 1981 Activity: Social activist Date of arrest: July 30, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Nguyen Van Oai is a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. He attended the citizen journalism training of the Vietnam Redemptorist News (VRNs) and helped report on the anti-china protests in Vietnam during summer 2011. His arrest is part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). Nguyen Van Tuc Birth date: 1964 Activity: Farmer, poet Date of arrest: September 10, 2008 Sentence: Sentenced to 4 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on October 9, 2009 Current location: Prison Camp K1, Ha Nam Province Nguyen Van Tuc is known for his writings against social injustice, especially an August 2006 letter denouncing the corruption of communist officials in Thai Binh province and an article titled The Party, then and now where he criticizes the current policies of the Vietnamese Communist Party. Arrested in September 2008 for participating in the hanging of banners calling for democracy, Nguyen Van Tuc was detained without trial for over a year. www.viettan.org/en 21
Nguyen Xuan Anh Birth date: September 14, 1982 Activity: Martial arts instructor, social activist Date of arrest: August 7, 2011 Current location: B34 Prison Camp, Saigon Nguyen Xuan Anh is a martial arts instructor from Vinh City and is married with two children. After his arrest, security police raided his home. Nguyen Xuan Anh was arrested as part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). Nguyen Xuan Nghia Birth date: 1950 Activity: Writer Date of arrest: September 11, 2008 Sentence: Sentenced to 6 years imprisonment followed by 6 years house arrest on October 9, 2009 Charge: Prison Camp K3, Ha Nam Province Current location: Prison Camp 6, Nghe An Province Nguyen Xuan Nghia is one of the leaders of Bloc 8406. He was arrested on the night of September 11, 2008 for organizing peaceful protests against China. He had been previously detained in Hanoi while preparing for a peaceful demonstration against the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay on April 29, 2008. He is a recipient of Human Rights Watch s Hellman/Hammett award. www.viettan.org/en 22
Nong Hung Anh Birth date: 1988 Activity: Blogger, Hanoi University student Date of arrest: August 5, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Nong Hung Anh is a fourth year student at Hanoi University, where he is currently studying foreign languages. He writes for prominent blogs such as www.boxitvn.net, a widely popular site founded by environmental activists and baokhongle.wordpress.com. Nong Hung Anh was arrested as part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). Paulus Le Son Birth date: October 10, 1985 Activity: Blogger, social activist Date of arrest: August 3, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Paulus Le Son is a community organizer and prominent writer for Vietnam Redemptorist News (VRNs). A resident of Hanoi, he is an active community organizer for issues such as HIV, public education, and serves as member of the John Paul II Group for Pro-Life. His popular personal blog (paulusleson. wordpress.com) covers issues of social justice, human rights and sovereignty. He was arrested as part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). www.viettan.org/en 23
Pham Ngoc Hoa Birth date: November 8, 1954 Activity: Merchant, land rights activist Date of arrest: November 19, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on May 30, 2011 Current location: Ben Tre Detention Center, Ben Tre Province Pham Ngoc Hoa, a merchant by trade, has been a steady presence at sit-ins organized by aggrieved citizens. She helped voice their plight in interviews with international Vietnamese-language radio networks. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the Hanoi government s detention and conviction of Pham Ngoc Hoa and 6 other activists is in violation of international law. Pham Thanh Nghien Birth date: November 24, 1977 Activity: Blogger Date of arrest: September 18, 2009 Sentence: Sentenced to 4 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on January 29, 2010 Current location: Prison Camp K3, Ha Nam Province In Spring 2008, Pham Thanh Nghien was briefly detained in Hanoi while peacefully protesting the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay. On June 17, 2008, she wrote an official request to organize a protest which was rejected by the Vietnamese government. Despite harassment by police, Pham Thanh Nghien decided to have a sit-in protest in her own house, which led to her current arrest. Human Rights Watch awarded her the Hellman/Hammett prize. www.viettan.org/en 24
Pham Van Thong Birth date: June 1, 1962 Activity: Evangelist in the Mennonite Church, land rights activist Date of arrest: July 19, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment followed by 5 years house arrest on May 30, 2011 Current location: Ben Tre Detention Center, Ben Tre Province Pham Van Thong is a long-time land rights activist and evangelist in the Mennonite Church. He was arrested for anti-state propaganda for helping to distribute slogans affirming Vietnamese sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands. These charges were changed to subversion at his trial. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the Hanoi government s detention and conviction of Pham Van Thong and 6 other activists is in violation of international law. Pham Van Troi Birth date: 1977 Activity: Engineer Date of arrest: September 10, 2008 Sentence: Sentenced to 4 years imprisonment followed by 4 years house arrest on October 7, 2009 Current location: Prison Camp 6, Nghe An Province A member of the Committee for Human Rights in Vietnam, Pham Van Troi was subjected to public denunciation in June 2008 by an organized group of 300 Communist Party members and beaten up in the presence of police officers. Despite constant police intimidation, he travelled to meet other democracy activists and wrote about the harrasment from authorities. He is a recipient of Human Rights Watch s Hellman/Hammett award. www.viettan.org/en 25
Phan Thanh Hai Birth date: 1969 Activity: Blogger, attorney Date of arrest: October 18, 2010 Current location: Phan Dang Luu Prison, Saigon Phan Thanh Hai, a well-known figure in the Vietnamese blogosphere, writes under the pen name AnhBaSG (Saigon Brother Three). He is a member of the unsanctioned Club of Free Journalists of which prominent bloggers Dieu Cay and Ta Phong Tan are also members. He is a recipient of the Hellman/Hammett award from Human Rights Watch. Ta Phong Tan Birth date: September 15, 1968 Activity: Blogger Date of arrest: September 5, 2011 Charge: Unknown Current location: Phan Dang Luu Prison, Saigon Ta Phong Tan, a former police officer and communist party member, is a prolific blogger with more than 700 articles to her name. She began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2004 and since then her articles have appeared widely online. With her knowledge and experience of police work, she provides insightful observations about widespread abuse of power by the security police. She is a recipient of Human Rights Watch s Hellman/Hammett award. www.viettan.org/en 26
Thai Van Dung Birth date: June 3, 1988 Activity: Social activist Date of arrest: August 19, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Thai Van Dung is a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. A resident of Hanoi, he attended citizen journalism courses hosted by the Vietnam Redemptorist News. His arrest is part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). Tran Anh Kim Birth date: 1949 Activity: Retired military officer Date of arrest: July 7, 2009 Sentence: Sentenced to 5.5 years imprisonment followed by 3 years house arrest on December 28, 2009 Current location: Prison Camp 6, Nghe An Province A former army colonel, Tran Anh Kim is a member of the Democratic Party of Vietnam and prodemocracy Bloc 8406. Authorities accused him of working with reactionary Vietnamese and hostile forces in exile by publishing articles on the Internet with contents opposing the government. This initial charge of anti-state propaganda (Article 88) was changed to the more serious offense of subversion (Article 79) at Kim s trial. www.viettan.org/en 27
Tran Hoai An Age: 60 years old Activity: Religious freedom advocate Date of arrest: July 2, 2011 Sentence: Sentenced to 3 years imprisonment on December 13, 2011 Charge: Abusing democratic freedoms (Article 258) Current location: An Giang Province Tran Hoai An is a member of the Hoa Hao Buddhist church, a sect which has been repressed by authorities. According to state media, he was arrested for possessing printed materials and CDs and DVDs criticizing the Vietnamese government s religious record. Tran Huu Duc Birth date: June 8, 1988 Activity: Social activist, computer science student Date of arrest: August 2, 2011 Current location: Nghi Kim Detention Center, Nghe An Province Tran Huu Duc is a computer science student, previously active in protesting the Nghe An police harassment of students organizing religious activities. He signed a petition for Cu Huy Ha, having attended his April 2011 trial, and against bauxite mining. Tran Huu Duc was arrested as part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). www.viettan.org/en 28
Tran Huynh Duy Thuc Birth date: November 29, 1966 Activity: Blogger, entrepreneur Date of arrest: May 17, 2009 Sentence: Sentenced to 16 years imprisonment followed by 5 years house arrest on January 20, 2010 Current location: B34 Prison Camp, Saigon Tran Huynh Duy Thuc help found mobile phone company One Internet Connection, which grew rapidly to reach a regional scale in Southeast Asia. Thuc blogged under the pen names Tran Dong Chan and Change We Need. In 2005 he created the Think Tank Chan with friends to reflect on the future of Vietnam. Arrested originally for theft of telephone lines, authorities subsequently reclassified the charges against him to subversion. He is a member of the Democratic Party of Vietnam. Tran Minh Nhat Age: 23 years old Activity: 23 years old Date of arrest: August 27, 2011 Current location: B14 Detention Center, Hanoi Tran Minh Nhat writes for the Vietnam Redemptorist News. He was arrested at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology. Nhat s detention is part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). www.viettan.org/en 29
Tran Thi Thuy Birth date: February 2, 1971 Activity: Land rights activist, merchant Date of arrest: August 16, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 8 years imprisonment followed by 5 years house arrest on May 30, 2010 Current location: Xuan Loc Prison, Dong Nai province Tran Thi Thuy is a devoted campaigner for justice, for both herself and other victims of government land grabs in Ben Tre Province. She is a Hoa Hao Buddhist and member of Viet Tan. Her family is often harassed and brutalized by security police and criminal gangs directed by the authorities. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the Hanoi government s detention and conviction of Tran Thi Thuy and 6 other activists is in violation of international law. Tran Vu Anh Binh Age: 37 years old Activity: Social activist Date of arrest: September 19, 2011 Charge: Unknown Current location: B34 Prison Camp, Saigon Tran Vu Anh Binh is a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and active in the Church choir. His arrest is part of a larger crackdown currently totaling 17 human rights defenders (mostly from Vinh Province). www.viettan.org/en 30
Truong Minh Duc Birth date: 1960 Activity: Freelance journalist Date of arrest: May 5, 2007 Sentence: Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on March 28, 2008 Charge: Abusing democratic freedoms (Article 258) Current location: Z30A Prison Camp, Dong Nai Province A member of the Vietnam Populist Party, Truong Minh Duc was arrested for helping farmers file complaints against local authorities seizure of their properties. A dedicated anti-corruption activist, he has authored many articles about abuses of power and civil rights violations, many of which were sent to overseas websites. He was reportedly denied medical treatment for a broken arm sustained while in prison. Vi Duc Hoi Birth date: August 12, 1956 Activity: Writer, former Communist Party member Date of arrest: October 27, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 8 years imprisonment (later reduced to 5 years) followed by 5 years house arrest on January 26, 2011 Current location: Lang Son Detention Center, Lang Son province A Communist Party member from 1980 to 2007, Vi Duc Hoi attended the elite Nguyen Ai Quoc Party School in Hanoi. He is the most senior Communist Party member tuned democracy activist. He has written extensively on the need for political pluralism and documented the failings of the current system. Hailing from the remote province of Lang Son in the north, Vi Duc Hoi belongs to the largest minority group in the country. He is a recipient of Human Rights Watch s Hellman/Hammett award. www.viettan.org/en 31
Vo Minh Tri Birth date: 1978 Activity: Musician Date of arrest: December 23, 2011 Charge: Unknown Current location: Tien Giang Province Vo Minh Tri is a singer/songwriter who goes by the name Viet Khang. He participated in the anti-china protests of 2011. His songs expressing anguish over the loss of national sovereignty struck a chord among Vietnamese netizens and went viral online. Vu Duc Trung Age: 31 years old Activity: Falun Gong practitioner, CEO of a high-tech company Date of arrest: June 11, 2010 Sentence: Sentenced to 3 years imprisonment on November 10, 2011 Charge: Illegally using information in computer networks (Article 226) Current location: Unknown Vu Duc Trung was CEO of a high-tech company in Hanoi until his arrest. From a farm outside of Hanoi, Vu Duc Trung (and his brother-in-law Le Van Thanh) had broadcast a short-wave news program called Sound of Hope documenting human rights abuses in China. Both were arrested even though Falun Gong is not explicitly banned in Vietnam. www.viettan.org/en 32
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