Huynh Minh Tam

Immediate Concerns

August 2024:

Four families joined each other to visit their loved ones imprisoned at Gia Trung Prison in Gia Lai Province on July 31 and August 1. They are family members of Luu Van Vinh (serving 15 years), Huynh Minh Tam (9 years), Nguyen Thi Xuan, and Nguyen Doan Quang Vien. The group chose to visit on the last day of the month so that they could turn around and visit again the next day since by law they’re only allowed one visit per month. Many families choose to do it this way to save money and time due to the long distances they have to travel, even though it means that they essentially can only see their loved ones once every two months — but for two days in a row.

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In a letter home, Huynh Minh Tam told his sister, Huynh Thi To Nga, a former political prisoner herself, that conditions inside the K5 camp at Gia Trung Prison in Gia Lai province have improved somewhat since his petitions two years ago. For example, prisoners can now have hot water from the new 180-liter pressure boiler. Further, Tam said he could now grow roses and strawberries “to while away the time” because prisoners are now allowed to go outside earlier during the day than before and in the afternoon. 

January 2024:

Recently released political prisoner Huynh Thi To Nga visited her brother Huynh Minh Tam at Gia Trung Prison and reported on Jan. 22 that Tam’s health was stable even though he looked very gaunt and skinny. He still was kept in a cell by himself, with a security camera. Tam said he covered up the camera with tape but was not reprimanded by the warden. The visit lasted only one hour, but the roundtrip journey took Nga 30 hours. However, Nga said Gia Trung actually allows prisoners to receive more monthly supplies than the 7 kg she was allowed to receive at An Diem Prison. Tam told Nga that political prisoner Truong Van Dung had just been transferred to Gia Trung and put in a cell next to his, alone.

Background

Profile photo source: Facebook Selena Zen

History of Activism

Huynh Minh Tam often posts many articles on national issues, especially national sovereignty, corruption, and economic mismanagement, on his Facebook account named Huỳnh Trí Tâm. There are more than 1,000 people following him on Facebook.

Family Situation

Tam is married and has two young children.

His sister is Huynh Thi To Nga, whose Facebook nicknames are Selena Zen and Dieu Hang. To Nga has been missing since January 28, 2019, only two days after Huynh Minh Tam’s arrest.