Trinh Ba Khiem
Current Status: At risk
Other Names: Trịnh Bá Khiêm
Date of Birth:
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Farmer
Areas of Activism:
- Democracy
- Freedom of expression
- Land rights
- Sovereignty
- Press
Communities At Risk:
Details
Background
Trinh Ba Khiem is a farmer in Duong Noi Ward, Ha Dong District, Ha Noi. In 2014, when the government decided to use coercive methods to seize farmers’ lands at Duong Noi, he strongly objected to the authorities and became an activist in the land rights and democracy movements.
History of ActivismIn 2014, when striving against the coercive move of government in taking farmers’ land in Duong Noi, Trinh Ba Khiem and his wife Can Thi Theu were arrested and imprisoned for obstructing justice. He was released on June 25, 2015.
He often provides support to political prisoners. In 2019, he was beaten on his way to visit the prisoners at the Thanh Chuong 6 Prison.
Family SituationHe lives with his wife, Can Thi Theu, who is also an activist.
Sentenced to 1 year 6 months in prison under Art. 257 (1999 Code). Released June 25, 2015.
April 25, 2014
- Art. 257 (1999 Code)
Hanoi city public security, Hanoi
Duong Noi Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi (map)
August 19, 2014 - Date of trial
1 year 6 months in prison
June 25, 2015
Details of Imprisonment
In 2014, when striving against the coercive move of government in taking farmers’ land in Duong Noi, Trinh Ba Khiem and his wife Can Thi Theu were arrested and imprisoned for obstructing justice. He was released on June 25, 2015. His wife, Can Thi Theu, was sentenced to 12 months under for the same charge.
ResourcesĐể không còn cưỡng chế bạo lực ở VN? BBC, September 12, 2015
July 12, 2019: beaten by thugs when visiting prison No. 6
- Property confiscation
- Physical assault in a public space
July 12, 2019
Individuals
Hanh Lam ward, Thanh Chuong district, Nghe An province (map)
On July 12, 2019, Trinh Ba Khiem and 19 family members and supporters of political prisoners were physically attacked by thugs who they believed to be plain-clothes prison officers and public security officers. Activist Trinh Ba Phuong told VOA Vietnamese that the group was on its way to Prison No. 6 with some posters solely to visit and support prisoners such as Truong Minh Duc, who were on hunger strike at the time. When the visitor group tried to approach Camp 6 by car, a truck seemed to purposely park to block the road, so they decided to walk the rest of the way. This is where the attack took place. Activists Nguyen Thuy Hanh, Huynh Ngoc Chenh, and himself were not only physically assaulted, but their belongings, including money, phones, and personal documents, were taken by the attackers.
After the attack, the group was forced to go back to the main road and was escorted to Vinh city, unable to complete the visit.
March 21, 2021: interrogated by police about livestreams
Police in Hanoi summoned Khiem for questioning and also demanded he removed some livestreams that they claim defame the state.
Khiem believes it's possible he'll be arrested soon, following the June 2020 arrests of his wife, Can Thi Theu, and sons Trinh Ba Phuong and Trinh Ba Tu.
Khiem told Radio Free Asia after the incident that: "My wife and children are already in prison, so I’m not frightened at all, even if they jail me for 20 years or if I die in prison."
Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:06