Key Events:
- Vietnam Imposes Death Penalty in Latest Drug-Related Case.
- Before the Celebration of its National Day, Vietnamese Authorities Arrest People on Allegations of Anti-Government Activities.
- U.S. Human Rights Delegation Faces Skepticism During Vietnam Visit.
- Fulbright University Vietnam Vows to Cooperate with Authorities On the Alleged Online Defamation Campaign Against It
Vietnam Sentences ‘Quan Idol’ to Death for Drug Trafficking Amid Global Scrutiny on Capital Punishment
On Aug. 29, after a two-day trial, the People’s Court of Quang Tri Province sentenced Nguyen Quoc Quan, also known as “Quan Idol,” to death for his involvement in multiple serious crimes. The 33-year-old, a resident of Khe Sanh Town, Huong Hoa District, was convicted of “Illegal transportation of drugs,” which carries the death penalty in Vietnam.
In addition to the death sentence, Quan was also handed an eight-year prison term for “forced seizure of property,” one year for “threatening to kill,” and was fined VND 700 million for “lending heavy interest in civil transactions.” The court argued that the cumulative penalties reflected the gravity of his offenses, resulting in a sentence of death.
This sentencing comes at a time when the global community is increasingly scrutinizing the use of the death penalty. According to a report submitted by the United Nations Secretary-General to the Human Rights Council, there is a general trend towards the universal abolition of the death penalty, with initiatives aimed at limiting its use and implementing safeguards to protect the rights of those facing capital punishment.
Despite this global trend, Vietnam remains among a minority of states that continue to enforce the death penalty, particularly for drug-related offenses. The report notes that between July 2022 and June 2024, Vietnam reportedly sentenced at least 34 people to death for drug-related crimes, highlighting the country’s stringent stance on narcotics.
The Human Rights Council’s report also emphasizes the impact of the death penalty on the children of those sentenced or executed, underscoring the broader human rights concerns associated with capital punishment. The sentencing of Nguyen Quoc Quan thus not only reflects Vietnam’s ongoing commitment to its severe drug laws but also places it under the spotlight of international human rights advocacy efforts aimed at curtailing the use of the death penalty.
Two senior U.S. diplomats overseeing human rights issues visited Vietnam this week to discuss promoting and protecting human rights, including religious freedom, and supporting vulnerable and marginalized populations. The visit underscores the continued dialogue between the U.S. and Vietnam on sensitive topics despite persistent challenges in fulfilling human rights in Vietnam.
From VOA Vietnamese, on Aug. 30, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Civil Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya described her meeting with Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc as a “productive conversation” centered on protecting and promoting human rights. Zeya shared details of the meeting on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Allison Peters, deputy assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), accompanied Zeya on the visit. In a statement, the U.S. State Department highlighted their joint efforts to advance human rights during the trip.
The U.S. delegation also discussed religious freedom with Deputy Minister of the Interior Vu Chien Thang and the Government Religious Committee, reaffirming their commitment to promoting religious freedom. The DRL emphasized this commitment on X, noting that the talks focused on protecting religious freedoms.
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting at the Ministry of Interior included a frank exchange of information and dialogue on Vietnam’s religious landscape. The discussions aimed to enhance mutual understanding, bridge differences, and respect each other’s political institutions.
Additionally, the U.S. delegation met with Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh to discuss labor relations between the two countries. They also held talks with Ngo Le Van, vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, to review progress on implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the U.S. and Vietnam.
On Aug. 29, Zeya met with Nguyen Xuan Thang, commissioner of the Ministry of Politics and director of the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy. During this meeting, Zeya emphasized that promoting and protecting human rights is critical to the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. Thang highlighted the importance of building strategic trust in security, national interests, religion, democracy, and human rights.
Zeya reiterated the U.S.’s call for Vietnam to uphold human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law on X.
On Aug. 26, PEN America urged Zeya to advocate for the release of political prisoners during her visit. The organization specifically mentioned the cases of independent journalists Pham Doan Trang and Le Huu Minh Tuan, who are currently serving prison sentences and called on U.S. diplomats to push for their release.
PEN America’s call was met with mixed reactions from human rights activists who wanted to see actual results from the Vietnamese government on these demands. While some welcomed the attention to human rights in Vietnam, others expressed skepticism about the likelihood of significant progress during the U.S. delegation’s visit.
Nguyen Van Hai (known by his pen name Điếu Cày), a blogger based in California, commented on VOA Vietnamese that similar calls have often been made. He noted that the release of prominent figures like Pham Doan Trang depends mainly on the pressure exerted by the U.S. government and the international community.
Nguyen Van Tri, an observer in Sydney, Australia, expressed doubt that U.S. diplomatic efforts would yield significant changes regarding human rights or the release of prisoners of conscience in Vietnam. He pointed out that countries such as the U.S., the European Union, and Australia often prioritize Vietnam’s geopolitical importance over pressing the government on human rights issues.
German-based journalist Nguyen Ha Hung offered a more optimistic perspective to VOA Vietnamese. He stated that while such recommendations and appeals may not immediately change the stance of the Vietnamese authorities, they serve to comfort those imprisoned for their activism and bolster the spirit of those fighting for freedom and democracy outside prison walls. He added that international pressure plays a crucial role in raising awareness of democratic values among the Vietnamese people.
Vietnamese Police Arrest Two for Alleged Ties to Anti-Government Organization
RFA Vietnamese reported that Vietnamese authorities arrested Pham Hoang, a 65-year-old man, on Aug. 29 for allegedly spreading a petition related to the upcoming Sept. 2 National Day and for his involvement in organizing activities linked to the Provisional Government of Vietnam, a U.S.-based group led by Dao Minh Quan, which the Vietnamese government has designated a terrorist organization.
The People’s Security Press, a Ministry of Public Security publication, reported on Aug. 30 that the Nam Dinh Provincial Police apprehended Hoang in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and the Lam Dong Provincial Police. According to the report, authorities seized numerous documents, money, and other items they claim are connected to Hoang’s alleged criminal activities.
The state media, citing police investigations, claimed that Hoang first contacted Dao Minh Quan’s organization in 2019 via Facebook, where he applied to join the group and was accepted. The police allege that Hoang used social media to post videos and articles promoting the organization’s anti-communist stance and policies.
The Ministry of Public Security stated that Hoang had been repeatedly summoned by officials and urged to cut ties with the organization, but he reportedly refused to comply.
In a related incident, on Aug. 31, the Hau Giang Provincial Police arrested Vuong Van Hong Nam, 60, on charges of attempting to overthrow the government and for his alleged involvement with the Provisional Government of Vietnam. According to the Cong An Nhan Dan (People’s Security) Newspaper, Nam became aware of Dao Minh Quan’s organization in 2015 through social media and subsequently created several accounts to communicate with its members. He later applied to join the organization despite multiple warnings from the police to disengage.
These arrests are part of a broader crackdown by Vietnamese authorities on individuals said to be linked to the Provisional Government of Vietnam. In April, the People’s Court of Gia Lai Province sentenced 10 people from various localities to prison for their alleged involvement with the group. Similarly, in June, a court in Tien Giang sentenced two others to jail on charges of attempting to overthrow the government, with both individuals also accused of ties to Dao Minh Quan’s exiled organization.
The Vietnamese government continues to pursue and prosecute individuals it deems a threat to national security, particularly those associated with groups labeled as terrorist organizations.
Fisheries Engineer Nguyen Ngoc Anh Released After 6-Year Prison Sentence, Faces Probation
Nguyen Ngoc Anh, a fisheries engineer and activist, was released from Xuan Loc Prison on August 30, 2024, after serving a six-year sentence for charges related to his criticism of the Vietnamese government. Anh, 44, was convicted in 2019 for “making, storing, and disseminating information against the state” through social media posts and videos addressing issues such as marine pollution caused by Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation and territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.
Upon his release, Anh was turned over to local authorities in Binh Dai District, Ben Tre Province, where he will begin a five-year probation period. Despite his imprisonment, Anh expressed pride in standing up for what he believed was right, though he noted his health had deteriorated during his incarceration.
Nguyen Ngoc Anh has been an outspoken critic of government policies since 2013, using Facebook to voice his concerns. His wife, Nguyen Thi Chau, also faced harassment from authorities for advocating for her husband’s release and highlighting his mistreatment in prison. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) previously condemned Anh’s imprisonment as “arbitrary” and in violation of international human rights conventions.
Fulbright Vietnam Pledges Cooperation in Online Defamation Probe
Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) has pledged to cooperate with authorities to investigate a recent social media campaign spreading defamatory information about the institution. In an open letter posted on Aug. 30, FUV President Dr. Scott Andrew Fritzen addressed the allegations, which accused the U.S.-funded university of promoting a “color revolution” and serving as a “reactionary training ground.”
The allegations have been widely circulated on social media, prompting concern. However, on Aug. 26, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed these claims, praising Fulbright’s contributions to Vietnam-U.S. relations and expressing hope that the university would continue to play a positive role in bilateral cooperation.
Dr. Fritzen’s letter condemned the baseless accusations, emphasizing Fulbright’s commitment to education and clarifying that the university operates under the Vietnamese government’s oversight, including adherence to the national education curriculum.
He also highlighted Fulbright’s recognition in joint statements by the leaders of Vietnam and the United States in 2013, 2015, and 2023, underscoring the institution’s role in strengthening ties between the two nations.
The defamatory campaign has significantly impacted the Fulbright community, causing emotional distress. Dr. Fritzen warned that such misinformation could harm the carefully nurtured Vietnam-U.S. relationship.
The university president’s letter also addressed the broader issue of disinformation on social media, calling it a “major challenge of our time” and reaffirming Fulbright’s dedication to its mission in Vietnam.
In addition to Fulbright, other public figures in Vietnam, including Vietnamese singers and artists, have recently faced online accusations of being ungrateful for their associations with symbols of the former South Vietnamese regime. These incidents have led several celebrities to issue public apologies.
Central Inspection Committee Disciplines Bac Giang Officials
According to RFA Vietnamese, the Central Inspection Committee (CIC) has disciplined several key officials from Bac Giang Province following its 46th session held on August 28-29. The disciplinary actions were taken against high-ranking Bac Giang People’s Council and People’s Committee members due to severe responsibility violations and failure to set proper examples.
The CIC’s conclusions criticized the Standing Committee of the Bac Giang Provincial Committee for breaches of democratic principles and work regulations, including inadequate leadership, oversight, and failure to address violations in investment projects managed by Thuan An Group Joint Stock Company. The committee also proposed disciplinary measures against various officials for lapses in political integrity, moral conduct, and adherence to anti-corruption laws.
Former Provincial Committee Secretary Duong Van Thai, who has been expelled from the party, was identified as bearing significant responsibility for these issues. The CIC recommended warnings for several officials, including Deputy Secretary Le Anh Duong and other leaders, for their roles in the misconduct.
The committee urged the competent authorities to review and impose appropriate sanctions against the Standing Committee of the Bac Giang Provincial Committee for the 2020-2025 term. The committee emphasized the need for timely rectification of the noted violations and proper disciplinary actions against involved party members and organizations.
RFA Vietnamese reported that Y Quynh Bdap, a founding member of the Montagnards Stand for Justice (MSFJ) organization, told Thailand’s Criminal Court on Aug. 30 that he fears for his life if deported to Vietnam, where he faces a possible prison sentence for terrorism. Bdap, who denies involvement in an attack on two Communist People’s Committee headquarters in Dak Lak province last year, said, “If deported, I will definitely die,” citing fears of torture by the Vietnamese authorities.
Bdap has been fighting his extradition in court. He argued that his group had no connection to the violent incident and maintained he was in Thailand at the time of the attack. His defense lawyer, Nadthasiri Bergman, invoked Thailand’s 2022 Prevention of Torture and Forced Disappearance Act to prevent his extradition, arguing that sending him back would violate Thai and international law.
Human rights lawyer Somchai Homlaor testified in support of Bdap, emphasizing his status as a recognized refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and a defender of religious freedom. He warned that extradition would likely lead to torture, in breach of international conventions. Despite the lack of a formal extradition treaty between Thailand and Vietnam, Hanoi has requested Bdap’s extradition, accusing him of terrorism under Vietnam’s Criminal Code.
What the FUV Controversy Shows
Vietnam Weekly/Michael Tartaski/Aug. 30
“This entire topic only appeared in mainstream official news outlets two days ago.
But anti-FUV sentiments bursting into official channels, even temporarily, is telling. And while directly criticizing an educational institution with links to the U.S. is unusual, such sentiments aren’t entirely out of line with other recent messaging.
Recall that [Tô] Lâm, in an article published after becoming general secretary, warned of ‘hostile forces’ pushing to ‘disintegrate our Party…from within.’
FUV got a full-throated defense from the government (or part of it, at least), but there’s no denying we are in unusual times.”