10 Sentenced to Prison in Vietnam for Ties to US-Based Group

A court in Vietnam's Gia Lai Province has sentenced 10 people to prison terms ranging from 4 to 13 years for their alleged involvement with activities aimed at overthrowing the government. The individuals were accused of having ties to a U.S.-based organization that Vietnamese authorities consider a terrorist group.

The sentencing comes amid ongoing human rights concerns in Vietnam, as highlighted in the U.S. State Department's 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The report notes that Vietnam saw no significant changes in its human rights situation over the past year, with continued restrictions on freedoms of speech, assembly, association, and religion. It also cites issues such as torture, unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists, and tighter government control over NGOs and civil society groups.

According to the report, as of October 31, 2023, at least 187 Vietnamese citizens were imprisoned for their political or human rights activities. Authorities frequently use national security laws to hand down lengthy prison sentences to members of ethnic minorities. The past year also saw the arrest and detention of several social media users and activists.

Why this matters: The sentencing of the 10 individuals and the findings of the U.S. State Department report emphasize the ongoing challenges faced by activists and dissidents in Vietnam. The country's human rights record continues to draw international scrutiny and strain its relationship with the United States and other Western nations.

In a separate case, a court in Lam Dong Province sentenced macrobiotic teacher Duong Tuan Ngoc to 7 years in prison and 3 years of probation for distributing anti-state propaganda. The arrests and imprisonments reflect Vietnam's strict stance against perceived threats to its one-party rule, even as the government pursues an anti-corruption campaign that has led to the investigation and prosecution of senior state officials and business executives.

Key Takeaways

• 10 people sentenced 4-13 yrs for alleged plot to overthrow Vietnam govt
• Vietnam sees no significant human rights improvements, per US report
• At least 187 Vietnamese jailed for political/rights activities as of 2023
• Macrobiotic teacher sentenced 7 yrs for anti-state propaganda distribution
• Vietnam's crackdown on dissent continues despite anti-corruption campaign