Vietnam’s Bold Move to Release Anti-Corruption Campaigner from Jail

Human Rights Watch Urges Vietnam to Drop Charges Against Anti-Corruption Campaigner

On June 6th, 2023, a court in Vietnam is set to hear the case against Dang Dang Phuoc, an anti-corruption campaigner who was arrested and charged under article 117 of the penal code. Human Rights Watch has called for the authorities to drop the charges against Phuoc and other activists who campaign for reforms.

The Arrest and Charges Against Dang Dang Phuoc

Dang Dang Phuoc, aged 60, was arrested in September 2022 by the Dak Lak provincial police and accused of conducting propaganda against the state. According to the Vietnamese authorities, his activism violates article 117 of the penal code. If he is found guilty, he faces up to 12 years in prison.

Phuoc was a music teacher at the Dak Lak College of Pedagogy, but he is also an outspoken activist who campaigns for social, political, and environmental issues. He has advocated for better protection for civil and political rights, including freedom of speech, expression, association, assembly, and religion. He has also opposed Vietnam‘s repressive 2018 cybersecurity law.

The Activism of Dang Dang Phuoc

Phuoc’s activism focuses on rooting out the malfeasance and corruption that the government claims to oppose. For the past decade, he has campaigned against corruption at the grassroots level and has supported the cause of the poor and powerless. He has also voiced his concerns about exploitative economic projects that have a negative impact on the environment.

In July 2022, just before his arrest, he spoke out against what he termed “reckless” titanium mining in Thua Thien Hue province. Phuoc has shown solidarity with other dissidents by publicly voicing support for rights activists imprisoned by the Vietnamese authorities. He has also signed several pro-democracy petitions, including Petition 72, which calls for constitutional changes to allow multiparty elections, and the Declaration of Free Citizens, which seeks to abolish article 4 in Vietnam‘s 1992 Constitution, granting the Communist Party of Vietnam a monopoly on power.

Human Rights Watch’s Response

According to Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, the Vietnamese government makes use of its abusive and overly broad laws to prosecute activists who call for reforms. Robertson urged the authorities to drop the charges against Phuoc and other activists who play a critical role in combating malfeasance and corruption. The Vietnamese leadership’s contempt for freedom of expression extends even to activists who sing a few songs criticizing them, he added.

The Role of the International Community

Human Rights Watch has called on Vietnam‘s trade partners, especially the European Union, which concluded a free trade agreement with Vietnam containing human rights conditionality, to criticize the government for its unrelenting rights violations. The international community must hold Vietnam accountable for its disregard for human rights, especially freedom of speech, expression, association, assembly, and religion.

Editorial and Advice

The arrest of Dang Dang Phuoc represents a troubling trend of using vague and overly broad laws to suppress civil society in Vietnam. The authorities’ crackdown on anti-corruption campaigners and activists who expose malfeasance and corruption undermines free speech and hinders the country’s progress towards democratisation.

The case of Dang Dang Phuoc highlights the need for Vietnam to enact legal reforms that protect and promote human rights and civil society. The international community must continue to pressure the government to release all imprisoned activists and respect human rights. As consumers, individuals can help by being aware of companies that do business with governments, such as Vietnam‘s, that have a poor human rights record and by supporting companies that prioritize human rights.

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