Vietnam’s Hanoi People’s Court has sentenced prominent activist Phan Van Bach to five years in prison for “distributing anti-state propaganda.” The conviction, issued on Monday, falls under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code, which allows for a maximum sentence of 12 years for such offenses.
Phan Van Bach, a known figure in Vietnamese activism, was arrested last December at his residence in Hanoi’s Dong Da district. Though initially involved with CHTV, an independent YouTube channel critical of social injustices in Vietnam, he had pivoted towards business activities before his arrest. His family was not informed of his detention for five days, as reported by his wife, Nguyen Thi Lieu.
The case has garnered significant attention from international human rights organizations. On September 12, Human Rights Watch called for the charges against Phan Van Bach to be dropped, condemning the sentencing as indicative of a broader crackdown on dissent. Patricia Gossman, Associate Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, stated, “Phan Van Bach is the latest victim of the Vietnamese government’s ongoing campaign to crush all dissent.”
Phan Van Bach is not alone in facing such legal challenges. Since mid-August 2024, Vietnamese courts have sentenced at least nine human rights activists under Article 117, including noted activists Tran Van Khanh and Nguyen Vu Binh.
Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code has come under scrutiny for its broad and ambiguous definitions, which critics argue are used to suppress dissent and silence government critics. These laws are seen as contradictory to Vietnam’s international obligations, such as those under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Phan Van Bach has been an active participant in several protest movements, including the 2011 demonstrations against China’s actions in the East Sea and the 2016 protests following the Formosa environmental disaster. Through his social media, he has continued to criticize the government’s suppression of dissidents and advocate for victims of injustice.
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