Peaceful Land Rights Activists to Remain in Prison Following Court’s Decision to Uphold Sentences

By: Jessica Ties
Impunity Watch, Asia

HANOI, Vietnam – Four  Vietnamese land rights activists who were convicted of “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration” this past May have been ordered to remain in prison after a court refused to grant their appeals and upheld the sentences ranging from five to eight years.

A Vietnamese court has denied the appeals of four land rights activists convicted in May (Photo Courtesy of Human Rights Watch).
A Vietnamese court has denied the appeals of four land rights activists convicted in May (Photo Courtesy of Human Rights Watch).

The court decided not to reduce the eight year sentence of Tran Thu Thuy or the seven year sentence of Pham Van Thong but agreed to reduce the six year sentence of Pastor Duong Kim Khai by one year and the five year sentence of Cao Van Tinh by six months. Three other land rights activists were also imprisoned in May and each received two year sentences which they chose not to appeal.

Prior to their arrests, the activists had dedicated years to helping Vietnamese citizens fight against government confiscations of their land.

The activists were arrested in May after authorities alleged that the four individuals had anti-government documents in their possession that reportedly advocated for a multiple party system. Six of the seven activists arrested in May were also accused of being members of Viet Tan, an opposition group that is based in the United States and has been banned in Vietnam.

While the accusation of Viet Tan involvement was made against all seven activists, the organization confirmed that only three of the individuals arrested were members of Viet Tan and that an unspecified number of the defendants attended Viet Tan courses on non-violent struggle. Despite being considered a terrorist organization by the Vietnamese government, the United States has found no proof of terrorist activity being committed by Viet Tan.

During the May trial, one of the defense lawyers was removed from the courtroom and later disbarred on a recommendation made by court officials for “disrespecting the law” when he attempted to argue against the accusations made against the activists.

Viet Tan reports that the jailed activists have not only been denied visits from family members but were also denied access to their lawyer until one day before the appeal trial was to take place.

Following completion of their jail terms, three of the activists will also have to serve five years of house arrest and one of the activists will be required to serve four years.

The plight of the land rights activists comes on the heels of several other cases involving dissidents who have been jailed by the Vietnamese government for expressing pro-democracy views.  The wave of convictions against peaceful activists prompted Phil Robinson of Human Rights Watch to state that “…Vietnam’s leaders seem to think they can sign international human rights treaties with invisible ink.”

For more information, please see:

Businessweek – 4 Vietnam Land Rights Activists Appeal Sentences – 18 August 2011

Radio Free Asia – Court Upholds Activist Sentences – 18 August 2011

Voice of America – Appeal Opens for Vietnamese Pastor, Land Rights Activists– 18 August 2011

Human Rights Watch –Vietnam: Free Peaceful Land Rights Activists – 17 August 2011

Author: Impunity Watch Archive