Profile

Pham Van Diep

Phạm Văn Điệp

Detainment Type: Sentenced to prison

Photo of Pham Van Diep

Other Names: Phạm Văn Điệp

Date of Birth:

Gender: M

Ethnicity: Kinh

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Last Known Prison: An Diem prison, Dai Loc district, Quang Nam province

Activist Focus:

  • Democracy
  • Environment
  • Human rights
  • Sovereignty

Organizational/Political Party Affiliation:

Details

Immediate Concerns

December 2020:

Update: Nguyen Van Hoa ended his hunger strike after eight days. Truyen and Diep also ended their hunger strike. The three reportedly resumed eating after their demands were approved by the prison administration, though it is unclear exactly what those demands were.

Three political prisoners have been on a hunger strike at An Diem Prison since at least November 20. They are Nguyen Bac Truyen, Pham Van Diep, and Nguyen Van Hoa. On November 26, Hoa’s sister visited him and reported that her brother looked pale and weak and had been on a hunger strike for seven days. They were protesting violations of their human rights, such as not being allowed to send or receive letters, not being given adequate healthcare, and being transferred to prisons far from their hometowns, causing hardship for their families. All their requests have been ignored by the authorities, even Truyen’s 2019 petition for a medical examination.

Background

Mr Diep is a Russian citizen of Vietnamese descent. He was born in Thanh Hoa province. When Hoang Minh Chinh reactivated the Democratic Party of Vietnam in 2006, Mr Diep joined the Party and fought for democracy in Vietnam. He has written many articles on socio-political issues in Vietnam.

History of Activism

State-owned newspaper reported that Mr. Diep studied in Russia before becoming involved in “anti-State activities.” They also said that he already served 21 months in Laotian prison for “using Laos territory to conspire against neighbouring countries (Vietnam).” Back in Vietnam after serving the sentence in Laos, he continued to share his political views on Facebook and participated in protests against Formosa, after the toxic waste spill, in 2016 and against the draft bills on Cybersecurity and Special Economic Zones in 2018.

Sentenced to 9 years in prison under Art. 117 (2015 Code). Expected Release is June 29, 2028.

June 29, 2019
  • Art 117
Provincial/city
Sam Son City, Thanh Hoa Province (map)
November 26, 2019 - Date of trial
Ha Huy Son
9 years in prison
June 29, 2028
Details of Imprisonment

On June 29, The Public Security of Thanh Hoa Province prosecuted Mr. Pham Van Diep, a 54 year-old Vietnamese Russian residing in Sam Son City, for “producing, storing, disseminating and propagating information, documents against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” in accordance with Article 117 of Vietnam’s 2015 Criminal Code. Diep was arrested at his home and will be detained for four months for further investigation.

November 2019:

Six activists were sentenced to a combined 25 years in prison on November 26 in three separate trials. Those activists are Pham Van Diep from Thanh Hoa Province, Nguyen Chi Vung from Bac Lieu Province, and a group of four from Dong Nai Province – Vo Thuong Trung, Doan Viet Hoan, Ngo Xuan Thanh, and Nguyen Dinh Khue. Among the six, Pham Van Diep and Nguyen Chi Vung received the heaviest sentences: nine years and six years, respectively. Both were accused of “making, storing, spreading information, materials, items for the purpose of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” under Article 117 of the 2015 Criminal Code.

Actions Taken

November 2019:

Human Rights Watch has called for Diep's immediate release ahead of his trial. 

Resources

Activist Arrested in Thanh Hoa Province for Online Political Commentaries and Supporting Local Demonstrations, The 88 Project, July 2, 2019

Vietnam: Longtime Critic Facing Trial, Human Rights Watch, November 20, 2019

Vietnam Jails Six Bloggers, Activists in One-day Sweep Across the Country, Radio Free Asia, November 26, 2019

Six Activists Sentenced to a Combined 25 Years in Prison in One Day Ahead of Vietnam Communist Party’s National Congress, The 88 Project, November 28, 2019

Vietnam jails third activist this month in crackdown on Facebook posts, Reuters, November 28, 2019

Vietnamese prisoners of conscience on hunger strike, CSW, November 27, 2020

Vietnamese Former RFA Videographer Ends Hunger Strike in Prison, Radio Free Asia, December 7, 2020

Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:05

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