Nguyễn Văn Điển
Nguyễn Văn Điển is a member of Phong Trào Dân Tộc Chấn Hưng Nước Việt (Vietnam Progressive Movement). Along with Vu Quang Thuan, he runs a youtube channel through which they discuss political issues, and advocate for the respect and protection of human rights and democracy. The latest video they released before their arrest was entitled "Guide to Lawful Protest". He has previously worked towards protecting the interest of migrant Vietnamese workers in Malaysia. He was arrested in Kuala Lampur in 2010 and deported to Vietnam. Since then, he have been continuing their advocacy efforts.
Vietnamese authorities treat human rights defenders as “enemies of the State”. HRDs are subjected to intimidation, threats, interrogation, harassment, arrest and routine beatings. Many defenders are victims of arbitrary detention and criminalisation. Most often, they are not informed of the reasons for their arrest or why their request for bail is denied. When put on trial, they are very often sentenced to heavy jail terms and mistreated in prison. Detained HRDs also do not have access to lawyers and families and can be denied medical care. They can be intentionally transferred to remote locations, thus making it more difficult for their families to visit them. Human rights lawyers are often abused and disbarred from their respective bar association.
