At Least 330 Arrested from 2018-2023 Under To Lam’s Brutal Crackdown on Dissent
Vietnam’s former police minister, To Lam, who in May became the country’s President, is now the acting caretaker of Vietnam’s most powerful office, the Office of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The U.S., which entered into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam last September and is set to decide on a market status upgrade next week, should be alarmed. Not only does To Lam bring to office decades of experience working within Vietnam’s secretive and violent top police agency, but his nine-year tenure as the Minister of Public Security saw a sprawling crackdown on freedom of expression and independent civil society.
Since 2016, when To Lam became Minister of Public Security, scores of human rights activists have been imprisoned, independent civil society and media organizations have been shuttered, and extreme restrictions on foreign aid have been enacted that have reportedly held up billions of dollars in grants and loans. This crackdown intensified in 2020. Since then, Vietnam has shut down the only independent journalists’ association, the only independent publishing house, and the only anti-corruption organization operating in the country.
From just 2018-2023, To Lam’s Ministry of Public Security oversaw the arrests (that resulted in convictions) of at least 330 human rights activists and dissidents. The full list of those arrested can be found below. The U.S. and other partners should remember that in pledging to align themselves more closely with Vietnam, and by default, To Lam, they will now be partnering with the architect of Vietnam’s crackdown on dissent, civil society, and foreign influence.
Arrests of Human Rights Activists and Dissidents 2018-2023
| Bach Hung Duong – June 24, 2021 |
| Bach Van Hien – June 30, 2021 |
| Bui Manh Dong – September 1, 2018 |
| Bui Manh Tien – October 16, 2019 |
| Bui Thanh Tu – June 11, 2018 |
| Bui Tuan Lam – September 7, 2022 |
| Bui Van T. – June 18, 2018 |
| Bui Van Thuan – August 30, 2021 |
| Can Thi Theu – June 24, 2020 |
| Cao Thi Cuc – May 12, 2022 |
| Cao Van Dung – June 9, 2021 |
| Chau Van Kham – January 13, 2019 |
| Chung Hoang Chuong – January 12, 2020 |
| Chung Kim Thanh – June 11, 2018 |
| Dan Van Tung – June 11, 2018 |
| Dang Anh Quan – February 24, 2023 |
| Dang Dang Phuoc – September 8, 2022 |
| Dang Dinh Bach – June 24, 2021 |
| Dang Hoang Minh – June 2, 2021 |
| Dang Ngoc H. – June 11, 2018 |
| Dang Ngoc Tan – June 11, 2018 |
| Dang Nhu Quynh – April 12, 2022 |
| Dang Thi Hue – October 16, 2019 |
| Dang Van Tuan – June 11, 2018 |
| Danh Minh Quang – July 31, 2023 |
| Dao Ba Cuong – April 27, 2023 |
| Diep Ut Tien – June 10, 2018 |
| Dinh Dinh Tai – June 11, 2018 |
| Dinh Kha Ly – June 10, 2018 |
| Dinh Ma Phong – June 10, 2018 |
| Dinh Thi Huynh – August 3, 2023 |
| Dinh Thi Thu Thuy – April 18, 2020 |
| Dinh Van Hai – October 7, 2021 |
| Dinh Van Phu – January 9, 2020 |
| Do Cong Duong – January 24, 2018 |
| Do Nam Trung – July 6, 2021 |
| Do The Hoa – September 1, 2018 |
| Do Van Co – June 11, 2018 |
| Do Van Ngoc – June 10, 2018 |
| Do Van Tai – June 11, 2018 |
| Do Van Thang – June 11, 2018 |
| Doan Khanh Vinh Quang – September 1, 2018 |
| Doan Kien Giang – April 20, 2021 |
| Doan Thi Hanh Thuong – June 11, 2018 |
| Doan Thi Hong – September 2, 2018 |
| Doan Van Thuong – June 10, 2018 |
| Doan Viet Hoan – April 25, 2019 |
| Dong Kim Hung – June 11, 2018 |
| Duong Thi Lanh – January 30, 2019 |
| Duong Tuan Ngoc – July 15, 2023 |
| Duong Van Ngoan – June 11, 2018 |
| Duong Van Thai – April 13, 2023 |
| Ha Hai Ninh – June, 2018 |
| Ha Van Nam – March 3, 2019 |
| Ha Van Thanh – October, 2019 |
| Ho Cong Di – June 10, 2018 |
| Ho Dang Van An – June 11, 2018 |
| Ho Dinh Cuong – September 8, 2018 |
| Ho Thai Ha – June 10, 2018 |
| Ho Thanh Tam – June 11, 2018 |
| Hoang Khuong – May, 2023 |
| Hoang Minh Tuan – September 21, 2020 |
| Hoang Ngoc Giao – December 16, 2022 |
| Hoang Thi Minh Hong – May 31, 2023 |
| Hoang Thi Son – April 20, 2023 |
| Hoang Thi Thu Vang – September 3, 2018 |
| Hoang Van Vuong – January 3, 2023 |
| Hung Hung – September 2, 2018 |
| Huynh Anh Khoa – June 13, 2020 |
| Huynh Dac Tuy – February 24, 2019 |
| Huynh Duc Thanh Binh – July 7, 2018 |
| Huynh Duc Thinh – July 24, 2018 |
| Huynh Huu Long – June 11, 2018 |
| Huynh Minh Tam – January 26, 2019 |
| Huynh Thi To Nga – January 28, 2019 |
| Huynh Thuc Vy – August 9, 2018 |
| Huynh Truong Ca – September 4, 2018 |
| Huynh Van Dep – June 7, 2020 |
| Huynh Van Su – June 10, 2018 |
| Jur – March 19, 2020 |
| Kinh Tan Hoach – June 10, 2018 |
| Ksor Ruk – October 30, 2018 |
| Kunh – March 19, 2020 |
| Lau A Lenh – March 18, 2020 |
| Le Anh Dung – February 6, 2021 |
| Le Anh Hung – July 5, 2018 |
| Le Cao Dong – July, 2019 |
| Le Chi Thanh – April 14, 2021 |
| Le Huu Minh Tuan – June 12, 2020 |
| Le Manh Ha – January 12, 2022 |
| Le Minh T. – June 10, 2018 |
| Le Minh The – February 22, 2023 |
| Le Nhut Ban – June 11, 2018 |
| Le Quy Loc – September 3, 2018 |
| Le Thach Giang – June 28, 2023 |
| Le Thanh Hoan Nguyen – January 4, 2022 |
| Le Thanh Nhat Nguyen – January 4, 2022 |
| Le Thanh Nhi Nguyen – May 27, 2022 |
| Le Thanh Trung Duong – January 4, 2022 |
| Le The Thang – July 6, 2021 |
| Le Thi Binh – December 22, 2020 |
| Le Thi Ngoc Anh – June 10, 2018 |
| Le Thi Thu Huong – October 20, 2021 |
| Le Thu Van – July 28, 2022 |
| Le Trong Hung – March 29, 2021 |
| Le Trong Nghia – June 18, 2018 |
| Le Trung Thu – June 30, 2021 |
| Le Tung Van – January 4, 2022 |
| Le Van Dung – June 30, 2021 |
| Le Van Hai – September 19, 2020 |
| Le Van Khien – January 4, 2019 |
| Le Van Liem – June 10, 2018 |
| Le Van Phuong – October 17, 2018 |
| Le Van Sinh – February 15, 2019 |
| Le Van Tam – June 11, 2018 |
| Le Van Tuan – July 24, 2019 |
| Le Viet Hoa – June 24, 2020 |
| Lu A Da – December 7, 2023 |
| Lup – March 19, 2020 |
| Ma Phung Ngoc Phu – April 11, 2020 |
| Mai Phan Loi – June 24, 2021 |
| Michael Nguyen – July 7, 2018 |
| Nay Y Blang – May 18, 2023 |
| Ngo Duc Duyen – June 10, 2018 |
| Ngo Duc Thuan – June 11, 2018 |
| Ngo Thi Ha Phuong – June 24, 2020 |
| Ngo Thi To Nhien – September 15, 2023 |
| Ngo Van Dat – June 10, 2018 |
| Ngo Van Dung – September 4, 2018 |
| Ngo Xuan Thanh – April 25, 2019 |
| Nguy Thi Khanh – January 11, 2022 |
| Nguyen Bao Tien – May 5, 2021 |
| Nguyen Chi Vung – April 23, 2019 |
| Nguyen Chuong – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Dang Thuong – June 13, 2020 |
| Nguyen Dinh D. – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Dinh Khue – April 25, 2019 |
| Nguyen Dinh T. – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Dinh Thanh – June 8, 2018 |
| Nguyen Doan P M – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Duc Hung – January 6, 2022 |
| Nguyen Duc Quoc Vuong – September 23, 2019 |
| Nguyen Duy Huong – March 22, 2021 |
| Nguyen Duy Linh – September 14, 2021 |
| Nguyen Duy Sang – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Duy Son – May 9, 2018 |
| Nguyen Hoai Nam – April 2, 2021 |
| Nguyen Hoang Nam – July 24, 2023 |
| Nguyen Hong Nguyen – June 16, 2018 |
| Nguyen Huu Thai – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Huu Thanh – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Huy – February 10, 2021 |
| Nguyen Huynh D. – June 18, 2018 |
| Nguyen Lan Thang – July 5, 2022 |
| Nguyen Manh Tien – May 26, 2023 |
| Nguyen Minh Kha – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Minh Son – September 28, 2022 |
| Nguyen Nang Tinh – May 29, 2019 |
| Nguyen Ngoc Anh – August 30, 2018 |
| Nguyen Ngoc Binh – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Ngoc Sang – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Nhu Phuong – August 30, 2022 |
| Nguyen Phuoc Trung Bao – April 20, 2021 |
| Nguyen Phuong Hang – March 24, 2022 |
| Nguyen Quang Hung – January 4, 2019 |
| Nguyen Quang Khai – October 20, 2020 |
| Nguyen Quang Tuy – February 10, 2019 |
| Nguyen Quang Vinh – July 27, 2020 |
| Nguyen Quoc Hue – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Quy Lai – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Quynh Phong – January 4, 2019 |
| Nguyen Sinh – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Son Lo – July 27, 2022 |
| Nguyen Tan Dong – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Tan Thong – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Tan Vu – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thai Hung – January 5, 2022 |
| Nguyen Thanh Nha – April 20, 2021 |
| Nguyen Thanh Phuong – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thanh Toan – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Cam Thuy – June 24, 2020 |
| Nguyen Thi Hoa – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Hue – March 12, 2019 |
| Nguyen Thi Lan Anh – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Lien – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Lung – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh – September 4, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lieu – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong – October 13, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Nham – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Nhu Hoa – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Tam – June 24, 2020 |
| Nguyen Thi Thuy – July 27, 2021 |
| Nguyen Thi Thuy – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Truc Anh – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Truc Ly – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Tuan – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Thi Xuyen – December 13, 2023 |
| Nguyen Thien Nghia – October 21, 2021 |
| Nguyen Thu Hang – November 27, 2023 |
| Nguyen Thuy Hanh – April 7, 2021 |
| Nguyen Toan Trung – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Tri Gioan – November 15, 2021 |
| Nguyen Trung Linh – May 27, 2018 |
| Nguyen Truong Vinh Phuc – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Tuan Quan – January 4, 2019 |
| Nguyen Tuong Thuy – May 23, 2020 |
| Nguyen Van An – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Cong Em – February 28, 2019 |
| Nguyen Van Hieu – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Hieu – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Hung – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Khanh – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Lam – November 6, 2020 |
| Nguyen Van Meo – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Nghia – June 10, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Nghiem – November 5, 2019 |
| Nguyen Van Nhanh – January 7, 2021 |
| Nguyen Van Phuoc – April 19, 2019 |
| Nguyen Van Quang – June 12, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Son – June 30, 2021 |
| Nguyen Van Tan – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Thuan – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Tien – June 11, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Truong – February 9, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Tuan – June 18, 2018 |
| Nguyen Van Vien – January 13, 2019 |
| Nguyen Xi – June 11, 2018 |
| Ong Thi Thuy – October 3, 2022 |
| Pham Chi Dung – November 21, 2019 |
| Pham Chi Thanh – May 21, 2020 |
| Pham Dinh Quy – September 25, 2020 |
| Pham Doan Trang – October 6, 2020 |
| Pham Minh T. – June 11, 2018 |
| Pham Ngoc Hanh – June 10, 2018 |
| Pham Ngoc Huyen – June 10, 2018 |
| Pham Sang – June 10, 2018 |
| Pham Thanh – June 11, 2018 |
| Pham Thanh Nam – June 10, 2018 |
| Pham Thi Minh Thu – June 10, 2018 |
| Pham Thi Thu Thuy – June 18, 2018 |
| Pham Van Chung – June 11, 2018 |
| Pham Van Diep – June 29, 2019 |
| Pham Van L. – June 10, 2018 |
| Pham Van Man – June 10, 2018 |
| Pham Xuan Hao – October 31, 2019 |
| Phan Bui Bao Thy – February 5, 2021 |
| Phan Cong Hai – November 19, 2019 |
| Phan Huu Diep Anh – July 21, 2021 |
| Phan Son Tung – September 9, 2022 |
| Phan Tat Thanh – July 13, 2023 |
| Phan Thanh Tuong – February 28, 2012 |
| Phan Thi Huong Thuy – September 19, 2022 |
| Phan Thi Thanh Nha – March 17, 2023 |
| Phan Van Bach – December 29, 2023 |
| Phan Van Binh – February 8, 2018 |
| Phan Van Lanh – June 11, 2018 |
| Phan Van Loc – July 11, 2023 |
| Phung Thanh Tuyen – June 30, 2021 |
| Phung Thi Nga – October 4, 2021 |
| Quach Nguyen Anh Khoa – June 13, 2019 |
| Rah Lan Hip – May 15, 2019 |
| Sung A Sinh – March 18, 2020 |
| Tang Thanh Thuan – June 11, 2018 |
| Thach Cuong – July 31, 2023 |
| Thach Rine – October 14, 2021 |
| Thai Thi Be – April 20, 2023 |
| Thi Bich – December 3, 2020 |
| Tien Dam – December 3, 2020 |
| Tien Nam – December 3, 2020 |
| To Hoang Chuong – July 31, 2023 |
| Tran Dac Thang – September 29, 2023 |
| Tran Dinh Sang – April 9, 2019 |
| Tran Duc Thach – April 23, 2020 |
| Tran Ho – June 10, 2018 |
| Tran Hoang Huan – August 10, 2021 |
| Tran Hoang Minh – September, 2020 |
| Tran Long Phi – July 7, 2018 |
| Tran Minh Loi – December 1, 2023 |
| Tran Minh Thien – June 11, 2018 |
| Tran Ngoc Son – May 20, 2021 |
| Tran Nguyen Duy Quang – June 10, 2018 |
| Tran Phi Dung – February 10, 2012 |
| Tran Quan – February 10, 2012 |
| Tran Quang Hai – January 4, 2019 |
| Tran Quoc Khanh – March 10, 2021 |
| Tran Thanh Giang – April 23, 2019 |
| Tran Thanh Phuong – September 1, 2018 |
| Tran The Nghia – June 11, 2018 |
| Tran Thi Mai Huong – June 11, 2018 |
| Tran Thi Tuyet Dieu – August 21, 2020 |
| Tran Trong Khai – June 13, 2020 |
| Tran Trong Tien – June 11, 2018 |
| Tran Van Bang – March 1, 2022 |
| Tran Van Cong – June 11, 2018 |
| Tran Van Quyen – January 23, 2019 |
| Tran Van Sy – February 25, 2023 |
| Tran Van Tuan – June 11, 2018 |
| Tran Van Xi – June 11, 2018 |
| Trinh Ba Phuong – June 24, 2020 |
| Trinh Ba Tu – June 24, 2020 |
| Trinh Viet Bang – May 13, 2019 |
| Truong Chau Huu Danh – December 17, 2020 |
| Truong Cong Hieu – June 11, 2018 |
| Truong Dinh Khang – September 22, 2018 |
| Truong Duy Nhat – January 28, 2019 |
| Truong Huu Loc – June 11, 2018 |
| Truong Minh Tai – June 11, 2018 |
| Truong Ngoc Hien – June 18, 2018 |
| Truong Quoc Gia Huy – June 11, 2018 |
| Truong Thanh K. – June 10, 2018 |
| Truong Van Dung – May 21, 2022 |
| Vo Hoang Tho – October 4, 2021 |
| Vo Men – June 11, 2018 |
| Vo Nhu Huynh – June 10, 2018 |
| Vo Thanh Thoi – September 22, 2022 |
| Vo Thuong Trung – April 25, 2019 |
| Vo Van Tru – June 16, 2018 |
| Vu Bich Van – October 3, 2022 |
| Vu Thi Dung – October 13, 2018 |
| Vu Thi Kim Hoang – January 5, 2022 |
| Vu Tien Chi – June 24, 2020 |
| Vu Van Ha – January 4, 2019 |
| Vu Van Hung – January 4, 2018 |
| William Nguyen – June 10, 2018 |
| Y Krec Bya – April 8, 2023 |
| Y Wo Nie – September 20, 2021 |
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