Dinh Van Hai
Đinh Văn Hải
Detainment Type: Sentenced to prison
Other Names: Đinh Văn Hải, Tiếng Vọng Hành Tinh
Date of Birth: August 16, 1974
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Activist Focus:
- Democracy
- Freedom of expression
- Human rights
- Land rights
- Sovereignty
- Press
Details
Immediate Concerns
April 2022:
Dinh Van Hai, 48, was sentenced by a court in Lam Dong Province to five years in prison for spreading “anti-state propaganda.” Hai posted 13 video clips and 79 posts that allegedly “defamed the regime and [deceased] leader Ho Chi Minh.” A handicapped person and an activist since at least 2018, Hai was apprehended in October 2021 while he was taking refuge inside a Buddhist temple. He had no lawyer at trial but defended himself by saying that his postings did not aim to defame the state but only to help make society better. It is not known if Dinh Van Hai will appeal.
BackgroundDinh Van Hai, a disabled person, is living in Duc Trong district, Lam Dong province.
History of ActivismDinh Van Hai, with his deep knowledge on international, criminal, civil and land rights, often shares his views on national and international issues. He participated in many demonstrations on national sovereignty and the environment and also protests against human rights violations by the authorities, especially violent attacks against activists.
On July 15, 2017, he was forcefully arrested and detained at police station of Tan Phu District, Ward 9, Ho Chi Minh City when marching peacefully to protest against an environmental project. Before releasing him, security forces confiscated his phone and documents.
June 27, 2018: beaten harshly after visiting activist Do Thi Minh Hanh
On June 27, 2018, Dinh Van Hai, with Vu Tien Chi, went to visit Minh Hanh because she was being attacked harshly at that time. After live-streaming at Minh Hanh’s house, showing her dangerous situation in her home, Dinh Van Hai and Vu Tien Chi went back home.
At around 12:00 pm, two thugs followed and attacked them (but mainly Hai) with wooden and iron sticks when they were at National Way 20, Lien Dam Commune, Di Linh District, Lam Dong Province. After Hai and Chi fell off their motorbike, they continued beating them harshly, causing Hai’s broken right hand and left clavicle shoulder.
August 22, 2019: summoned to work on his Facebook activities
The public security of Lam Dong Province sent the first summons order to Hai, asking him to go to police station of Ninh Gia commune, Duc Trong District on August 23, 2019. The reason for the summons was to question him about the usage of his Facebook account. It is likely that Hai refused to comply with this arbitrary order.
Sentenced to 5 years in prison under Art. 117 (2015 Code). Expected Release is October 7, 2026.
April 28, 2022 - Date of trial
None -- no legal representation
5 years in prison
October 7, 2026
Details of Imprisonment
For the past several months, Hai has been taking refuge inside the pagoda Phuoc Buu. On October 7, 2021, two men pretended to donate rice and gained entrance to the pagoda. They did not present any warrants but demanded that Phuoc surrender. Several people who tried to record the arrest were threatened that they, too, would be arrested. Hai refused to sign any papers.
Physical Health HistoryHai has a physical handicap; he walks with a limp.
Actions TakenNovember 2021:
On November 1, 2021, the UN Special Rapporteur on Arbitrary Detention sent the government of Vietnam its report on human rights defenders Chung Hoang Chuong, Nguyen Van Nghiem, Le Van Dung, Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, Do Nam Trung and Dinh Van Hai, requesting a response. On November 21, the government requested a two-month extension to February, 2022, to reply.
ResourcesThêm người bị bắt theo Điều 117 vì viết bài trên Facebook, Radio Free Asia Vietnamese, October 7, 2021
Report from the UN Special Rapporteur, November 2021
Ông Đinh Văn Hải bị lãnh án 5 năm tù vì ‘nói xấu chế độ’, VOA Vietnamese, April 28, 2022
Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:05