Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh
Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Hạnh
Detainment Type: Sentenced to prison
No image
Other Names: Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Hạnh, Tran Hoang Lan (Facebook)
Date of Birth: 1976
Gender: F
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Teaching professional
Known Prison(s):
An Phuoc detention center, Binh Duong province (July 31, 2020 - present)
Activist Focus:
- Democracy
- Freedom of expression
- Human rights
- Press
Organizational/Political Party Affiliation:
Details
Immediate Concerns
March 2021:
Ngo Van Dung was transferred to An Phuoc Prison along with two others, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh and Le Quy Loc.
January 2021:
The court of appeals upheld the sentences of four activists alleged to be members of the Hien Phap (Constitution) group; they denied the affiliation at trial. They are Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh (eight years in prison); Ngo Van Dung and Le Quy Loc (five years each); and Ho Dinh Cuong (four years and six months). They were charged with “disturbing security”. Unlike the first trial, this time family members were allowed to observe the proceedings, albeit only via a video feed in the next room, due to the presence of the US Consul General in the courtroom.
History of ActivismNguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh is a member of Hien Phap (Constitution) group, established on June 16, 2017, with the aim to promote people’s understanding of their human rights in the 2015 Constitution.
She and other members planned to call for a peaceful demonstration on September 4, just days prior to their arrest, to raise their voice on social issues, including human rights violations, corruption, territorial disputes, and environmental pollution.
Sentenced to 8 years in prison and 3 years probation under Art. 118 (2015 Code). Expected Release is September 4, 2026.
July 31, 2020 - Date of trial
8 years in prison and 3 years probation
September 4, 2026
Details of Imprisonment
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh was detained on September 4, 2018, ahead of planned demonstrations for Vietnam’s National Day and as part of a concerted crackdown against the Hien Phap group. Her family tried to visit her in January 2019 but was unable to, as she remained under pre-trial investigation.
February 2020:
Eight activists were scheduled to face trial by the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City on March 10 on charges of "disrupting security" under Article 118 of the 2015 Criminal Code. The eight had been detained without trial for almost a year and a half. Authorities previously postponed the trial twice. The group of eight defendants includes Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, Hoang Thi Thu Vang, Do The Hoa, Ho Dinh Cuong, Tran Thanh Phuong, Ngo Van Dung, Doan Thi Hong and Le Quy Loc. Some are members of the Hien Phap group.
July 2020:
After several postponements of the trial, on July 31, the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City sentenced eight defendants, some of whom are members of the Hien Phap constitutional rights group, to prison sentences ranging from two and a half years to-eight years on charges of “disrupting security.” The sentences were as follows:
- Ngo Van Dung: five years in prison and two years of probation
- Hoang Thi Thu Vang: seven years in prison and three years of probation
- Do The Hoa: five years in prison and two years of probation
- Ho Dinh Cuong: four and a half years in prison and two years of probation
- Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh: eight years in prison and three years of probation
- Tran Thanh Phuong: three and a half years in prison and two years of probation
- Le Quy Loc: five years in prison and three years of probation
- Doan Thi Hong: two and a half years in prison and two years of probation
Family members and supporters were not allowed to attend the trial, and neither were US government representatives. One representative of the German Embassy was allowed to attend.
Physical Health HistoryWhen her family attempted to visit her in January 2019, they were told to bring her medicine for her circulation, as well as calcium.
Actions TakenAugust 2020:
The US State Department released a statement condemning the imprisonment of Hien Phap group members, saying: “Although we have seen the Government of Vietnam take some positive steps on human rights in certain areas in Vietnam over the past few years, we are troubled about the growing trend of arrests of and harsh sentences for peaceful activists since early 2016.”
Resources9 người thuộc nhóm Hiến Pháp bị an ninh bắt vào đầu tháng 9, Radio Free Asia, September 28, 2018
Female Activists Doan Thi Hong, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh Investigated for Disrupting Security, Facing Lengthy Sentences, Defend the Defenders, December 9, 2018
Activist Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh’s Health Worsens, Investigation Extended, Defend the Defenders, January 9, 2019
Prisoners of Conscience in Viet Nam, Amnesty International, April 2019
Eight Vietnamese Democracy Activists Given Long Terms in Prison, Radio Free Asia, July 31, 2020
Eight Members of Constitution Group Convicted, Sentenced to Total 40.5 Years in Prison and 20 Years of Probation, Defend the Defenders, July 31, 2020
Vietnam Court Rejects Appeal of ‘Constitution Group’ Protesters, Returning Them to Prison, Radio Free Asia, January 8, 2021
Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:06