Vietnam's Unyielding Grip: Dissident Trinh Ba Phuong Faces Extended Sentence
Vietnamese dissident Trinh Ba Phuong, already serving a 10-year sentence for anti-state propaganda, received an additional 11-year sentence for dissent expressed in prison. His case underscores Vietnam's strict suppression of opposition, drawing international concern about free expression amid EU-Vietnam talks.
- Country:
- Thailand
In a stark demonstration of Vietnam's intolerance for dissent, Trinh Ba Phuong, a well-known dissident, has been handed an extra 11-year prison sentence for voicing opposition while incarcerated. Officials convicted him for writing a protest statement against the ruling Communist Party, allegedly found in his cell.
The People's Court of Da Nang handed down the conviction on charges related to spreading anti-state propaganda, a decision not reported by Vietnamese state-run media. Phuong denied authorship of the statement, with support from The 88 Project, an organization monitoring human rights issues in Vietnam.
Critics, including Human Rights Watch representatives, argue the decision highlights Vietnam's unyielding crackdown on free speech, urging global powers like the EU to address such violations amid ongoing diplomatic talks. Phuong's case reflects a broader pattern of using criminal code provisions to stifle activism.
(With inputs from agencies.)
ALSO READ
Music Mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs Faces Over 11 Years for Shocking Conviction
Protests in Madagascar since Thursday have left at least 22 people dead, the U.N. human rights office says, reports AP.
Bitcoin Laundering Conviction: Chinese Woman Admits Guilt in 5 Billion-Pound Fraud Case
Human Rights Probe: Sanitation and Safety Lapses in Focus
AFSPA Extension in Assam: Balancing Security and Human Rights
Google News