Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate release of Vietnamese human rights activist Trịnh Bá Phương, urging authorities to drop all charges against him. Phương, who was arrested in June 2020, was sentenced in December 2021 under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code. This article criminalizes activities considered as creating or spreading materials opposed to the state. Phương’s 10-year sentence is followed by five years of probation. His incarceration has been marked by protests against his conditions, including a hunger strike after the confiscation of reading and writing materials. Recently, provincial authorities accused him of further violations, potentially adding a significant extension to his sentence.
According to Patricia Gossman, Associate Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, the charges illustrate the perils of criticizing the Communist Party whether inside or outside prison. The call for Phương’s release coincides with broader efforts against governmental dissent in Vietnam, where his mother and brother are also imprisoned on similar charges. Amnesty International has echoed these demands, advocating for political detainees’ release, including Phương’s family.
The upcoming hearing at the Da Nang People’s Court might lead to an additional 12 years added to Phương’s sentence if he is found guilty of the new accusations. This situation highlights ongoing international concern about Vietnam’s stance on free expression. Articles from Al Jazeera and Reuters have further discussed Vietnam’s crackdown on dissent, bringing attention to various human rights issues in the region.
The arrest and conviction of figures like Phương are emblematic of the Vietnamese government’s rigorous approach to control dissent and manage state criticism. The decisions made in his case could have implications for human rights advocacy within Vietnam and beyond.