Pham Xuan Hao
Current Status: Released - at risk
Other Names: Phạm Xuân Hào
Date of Birth: 1965
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Teaching professional
Areas of Activism:
- Freedom of expression
- Sovereignty
Highlighted Human Rights Concerns:
- Online commentator
Details - Background, History of Activism.
Hao, from Soc Trang Province, lived in Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, Can Tho Province prior to arrest. He is an architect, obtained a Master’s Degree, and works as a lecturer at the Technology Faculty of the University of Can Tho, one of the major universities in southern Vietnam.
Profile photo source: Phap Luat Newspaper
Hao was said to share his views on national issues, for example, the proposal of the bill on Special Economic Zones in 2018. His articles and sharing of content on Facebook, according to Facebooker Pham Minh Vu, were intended to advocate for a just society in Vietnam.
Thầy Phạm Xuân Hào đại học Cần Thơ bị bắt vì chống giao đặc khu cho Trung Quốc, Nghiep Doan Giao Chuc Website, October 31, 2019
Cái kết của cựu giảng viên đại học xuyên tạc Đảng và nhà nước, Phap Luat Newspaper, October 31, 2019
Arrested October 31, 2019. Sentenced to 1 year in prison under Art. 331 (2015 Code). Expected Release is October 31, 2020.
October 31, 2019
- Art. 331 (2015 Code)
Ninh Kieu district public security, Can Tho city
Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho Province (map)
October 31, 2019
The People’s Court of Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City
1 year in prison
October 31, 2020
- freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention
- liberty and security of the person
- freedom of expression
- fair trial
Human Rights Watch
On October 31, 2019, the People’s Court of Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, sentenced Hao to 12 months in prison for “abusing democratic rights and freedoms to infringe upon state interests” in accordance with Article 331 of the 2015 Criminal Code, which is often used to silence constructive criticism in Vietnam. We are unable to verify his arrest date at this time, so we have listed the date as October 31.
At the trial, the Court accused him of being an expert and having high social awareness but still using Facebook to “publish pessimistic information about Vietnam that negatively affects netizens and the public.” The judges also asserted that he has tried to libel the policies of the Party and the State.
On November 5, 2019, Human Rights Watch has urged Vietnam’s authorities to release online dissidents and amend its abusive regulations on cybersecurity and online expression.
Cái kết của cựu giảng viên đại học xuyên tạc Đảng và nhà nước, Phap Luat Newspaper, October 31, 2019
Kiến trúc sư, cựu giảng viên ĐH Cần Thơ bị phạt tù vì xuyên tạc trên mạng, Vietnamnet Newspaper, October 31, 2019
Vietnam: Free Activist Jailed for Facebook Posts, Human Rights Watch, November 5, 2019
Profile last updated: 2020-08-23 20:14:03