Pham Minh Hoang
Pham Minh Hoang is a human rights defender, university professor, blogger and a member of the pro-democracy organization, Viet Tan. Under the pen name, Phan Kien Quoc, Pham Minh Hoang wrote dozens of commentaries on issues such as human rights, the environment, and corruption. In 2011, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment under Article 79 of the Criminal Code, on false charges of attempting to overthrow the government, but was released after 17 months and ordered to serve three years’ house arrest. Since his release in 2012, Hoang has conducted trainings for youth regarding human rights and Vietnamese law.
Vietnamese authorities treat human rights defenders as “enemies of the State”. In Vietnam, there is no independent, privately-run media – domestic newspapers, television and radio stations are strictly controlled by the state. Internet communication is also strictly controlled and restricted. HRDs working for accountability and democracy receive accusations of being “foreign spies or agents”, “traitors”, or “violators of public order and peace”. HRDS are also subjected to intimidation, threats, interrogation, harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention. When put on trial, they are very often sentenced to heavy jail terms for their human rights work, and mistreated in prison.
