Amnesty International has voiced serious concerns regarding the health of imprisoned Vietnamese activist Can Thị Theu, urging President Vo Van Thuong to ensure her immediate release. Highlighting the precariousness of her situation, Amnesty emphasized that without swift access to adequate healthcare, Theu’s life could be in jeopardy.
Can Thị Theu, a well-known land rights advocate, has reportedly suffered from mistreatment and poor prison conditions since her detention. Issues cited include limited access to food and water, insufficient healthcare services, and the denial of her personal medical records. Earlier this month, Theu alerted her family to severe eating disorders and pain in her groin, but despite some medical treatment, authorities continued to restrict access to her medical information. Amnesty further revealed that during pre-trial detention, Theu experienced ill treatment, including an eye infection due to inadequate ventilation and water supply in sweltering conditions. These revelations have been shared in recent communications.
Theu’s activism, particularly her documentation of land grabbings and human rights violations, has subjected her and her family to ongoing harassment and surveillance. The situation reached a tipping point in January 2020 when Theu’s social media documentation of a police raid, eventuating in fatalities and arrests, led to increased scrutiny. In June 2020, she and her sons were arrested, facing charges under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code for alleged anti-state activities. By May 2021, Theu received an eight-year prison sentence.
Vietnamese authorities have faced persistent criticism regarding their stringent approach to human rights defenders and political dissenters. Human Rights Watch has previously underscored the deficiency in Theu’s medical care despite her serious health issues. In August, the organization reiterated its concerns and urged UN member states to press Vietnam into reforming its treatment of domestic dissent and upholding fundamental rights, affirming similar calls from other parties.
Amnesty International insists on Theu’s immediate and unconditional release, classifying her as a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for expressing her views. They also call on the Vietnamese government to adhere to the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, ensuring humane conditions while she remains incarcerated. As pressure mounts, the international community continues to scrutinize Vietnam’s adherence to human rights norms.