Nguyen Thai Binh
Nguyễn Thái Bình
Detainment Type: Released - at risk
Other Names: Nguyễn Thái Bình
Date of Birth: 1986
Gender: M
Religion: Buddhist (An Đàn Đại Đạo)
Ethnicity: Kinh
Known Prison(s):
An Diem prison, Dai Loc district, Quang Nam province (?? - November 23, 2024)
Activist Focus:
- Religious freedom
Details
Trinh Ba Phuong's wife, Do Thi Thu, told Project88 on Nov. 20 that her husband had been on a hunger strike since "around Nov. 1" at A Diem Prison. Phuong and several others staged a strike to demand the cessation of unfair treatment such as not allowing political prisoners to have pen and paper for writing and confiscation of reading material, including Phuong's books on the law. She also reported that Nguyen Thai Binh in March was allegedly shackled on both legs and put in isolation for 10 days, and that since then he had been prohibited from buying supplies at the prison store and from calling home. Binh had to end his hunger strike after 15 days due to weakness. His health is reportedly "very poor;" he was released on Nov. 23 after completing his 12-year sentence. Phan Cong Hai, who finished his prison sentence and was released earlier this month, also joined the strike but had to stop after 15 days.
Background
Nguyen Thai Binh is a member of An Dan Dai Dao, a Buddhist sect founded in 1969 but outlawed after the Communist regime took over South Vietnam in April 1975.
History of Activism
The religious group ran an eco-tourist company at the Da Bia Tourist Resort in Phu Yen Province. They signed a contract with the local authorities to engage in protecting the forest and environment. The group believed in the prophecies of Nguyen Binh Khiem, a 16th century oracle or Vietnamese equivalent of Nostradamus, and dreamed of building a new “Utopia” in which science, nature and humankind would be harmoniously balanced. They organized conferences and produced leaflets to disseminate their beliefs. According to reports in the state-run media, the group had several hundred members and sections in several central and southern provinces.
Sentenced to 12 years in prison under Art. 79 (1999 Code). Released November 23, 2024.
November 23, 2012
- Art. 79 (1999 Code)
District
Viet Nam
January, 2013 - Date of trial
12 years in prison
November 23, 2024
November 23, 2024
Details of Imprisonment
He is one of 22 members of An Dan Dai Dao Buddhist sect arrested in February 2012 under Art. 258 and tried under Art. 79 of the 1999 Penal Code by Phú Yên People’s Court in January 2013, in what is called the "Council for the Laws and Public Affairs of Bia Son" affair. The group was charged with subversion and accused of writing documents critical of the government, setting up two companies and investing in an eco-tourism park as a cover for recruiting supporters. However, those affiliated with the group maintained that the activities of the group were purely religious and that the authorities interpreted their religious teaching in political terms. Human rights groups and supporters consider the arrests a repression by the State of the peaceful religious group.
Arrested on November 23, 2012, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 5 years of probation. He is currently held in An Diem Prison in Dai Hung Commune, Dai Loc District, Quang Nam Province.
Actions Taken
February 2013:
The Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and three UN Special Rapporteurs sent a letter to the Vietnamese government regarding the case of the 22 members of the Bia Son Council for Public Law and Affairs, expressing their concerns regarding the fairness of their trial and the motivations behind their arrests. They asked for further information about the case and how the arrests are compatible with international law.
Profile last updated: 2024-11-29 15:28:24