Trinh Ba Khiem
Trịnh Bá Khiêm
Current Status: At risk
Date of Birth:
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Farmer
Activist Focus:
- Freedom of expression
- Land rights
- Sovereignty
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 Activism
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.
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 Situation
He 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.
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.
Resources
Để không còn cưỡng chế bạo lực ở VN? BBC, September 12, 2015
July 12, 2019: beaten by thugs when visiting prison No. 6
- Property destruction
- Assault
July 12, 2019
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."
April 15, 2025:
Summons
April 15, 2025
Hòa Bình, Viet Nam
On April 15, Trinh Ba Khiem, was summoned for questioning from Hoa Binh police. His daughter, Trinh Thi Thao, was ordered to speak with Hoa Binh police the same day, as a result of content she posted online. She went to the Ngoc Luong commune police station, and while there, officers warned her to not post "untrue" information.
At the time of the summoneses, Khiem and Thao's family members, including Khiem's wife/Thao's mother Can Thi Theu, and the family's two sons, Trinh Ba Phuong and Trinh Ba Tu, were imprisoned.
Source: reported to Project88 directly by the family
Profile last updated: 2025-05-03 14:18:09