Huynh Thi To Nga
Current Status: Sentenced to prison
Other Names: Dieu Hang, Selena Zen (Facebook)
Date of Birth:
Gender: F
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Medical professional
Areas of Activism:
- Democracy
- Freedom of expression
November 2019:
On November 28, 2019, the People's Court of Dong Nai Province tried siblings Huynh Minh Tam and Huynh Thi To Nga under Article 117 of the 2015 Criminal Code for “making, storing, spreading information, materials, items for the purpose of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam." Both were handed heavy prison sentences– nine years for Tam and five years for Nga. Both were active Facebookers and sharp commentators on politics and national issues, including national sovereignty, corruption, and economic mismanagement. Notably, Nga was allegedly kidnapped by plainclothes agents from the hospital where she works. She was missing for several weeks before being found in a detention center in Dong Nai Province. Nga was arrested when one of her children was under 36 months old.
Details - Background, History of Activism, Family Situation.
She’s a doctor and single mother of two children.
Profile photo source: Facebook Bao Nhi Le
She owns two Facebook accounts. A sharp commentator on Vietnamese politics, she frequently shares her views online that are critical of the regime.
Arrested January 28, 2019. Sentenced to 5 years in prison under Art. 117 (2015 Code). Expected Release is January 28, 2024.
November 28, 2019
The People’s Court of Dong Nai Province
5 years in prison
January 28, 2024
- freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention
- liberty and security of the person
- freedom of expression
- fair trial
Huynh Thi To Nga was missing for several weeks after she was last seen around 3 pm on Monday, January 28, 2019. She was allegedly kidnapped by plainclothes agents from the hospital where she works.
July 2019:
Activist Huynh Thi To Nga is now known to be held in Dong Nai province's detention center. Her family told activists in Ho Chi Minh City that they asked the authorities to let them meet with her, but so far, the request has been denied. Authorities told the family that she is under investigation and cannot have visitors. They have not announced charges against her.
November 2019:
October 28, 2019 marked nine months since Facebooker Huynh Thi To Nga was allegedly kidnapped by plainclothes agents from the hospital where she works. She is now known to be held in Dong Nai province‘s detention center. Her family told activists in Ho Chi Minh City that they asked the authorities to let them meet with her, but so far, the request has been denied. Authorities told the family that she is under investigation and cannot have visitors. They have not announced charges against her.
***
On November 28, Huynh Minh Tam was sentenced to nine years in prison, and Huynh Thi To Nga was sentenced to five. In the indictment, the authorities accused the two activists of using the Internet to read and share articles or websites of “reactionaries,” a term that the government usually uses to name political opponents or critics. Both were said to use Facebook accounts to contact overseas “reactionaries” and post articles with anti-state content. Nga was also said to post many articles with content defaming the regime and distorting national issues and history through two Facebook accounts, “Selena Zen” and “Dieu Hang.” The Court also accused her of participating in “unauthorized” demonstrations and inciting others to join protests for democracy.
Medical Worker Huynh Thi To Nga Still Missing After Being Kidnapped in Late January, Defend the Defenders, February 14, 2019
Nhà hoạt động Huỳnh Thị Tố Nga hiện đang bị giam giữ ở Đồng Nai, SBTN, April 30, 2019
Two Siblings in Dong Nai Sentenced to Fourteen Years in Jail, The 88 Project, December 1, 2019
January 28, 2019: feared abducted by plainclothes agents
Forced disappearance
January 28, 2019
- Public security
- Individuals
Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City (map)
- freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention
- liberty and security of the person
- life
Huynh Thi To Nga was missing for several weeks after she was last seen around 3 pm on Monday, January 28, 2019. She was allegedly kidnapped by plainclothes agents from the hospital where she works. She is the owner of two Facebook accounts. The article “The Australian Government officially recognizes the Provisional President Juan Guaido” was the last post she shared before she went missing.
She is now known to be held in Dong Nai province's detention center. Her family told activists in Ho Chi Minh City that they asked the authorities to let them meet with her, but so far, the request has been denied. Authorities told the family that she is under investigation and cannot have visitors. They have not announced charges against her.
Medical Worker Huynh Thi To Nga Still Missing After Being Kidnapped in Late January, Defend the Defenders, February 14, 2019
Profile last updated: 2019-12-07 16:51:26