Phan Van Bach
Current Status: Pre-trial detention
Other Names: Phan Vân Bách
Date of Birth: March 10, 1975
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Areas of Activism:
- Democracy
- Freedom of expression
- Sovereignty
- Press
Known Affiliations:
Details
Bach was involved in the CHTV channel from 2017 to 2019, but quit and was not affiliated at the time of his arrest.
Profile photo source
History of ActivismAccording to Vu Manh Tuan, another CHTV member who now lives in Nha Trang city, “Bach did not focus on any particular subjects. He used to conduct talks in an improvisational way. He used to talk about the bad things of the regime and society. Then, Bach announced he was quitting CHTV.”
Founded by prisoner of conscience Vu Quang Thuan, CHTV covered hot-button socio-economic issues in Vietnam. Thuan, along with members Le Van Dung and Le Trong Hung, are in prison on charges of disseminating anti-state propaganda because of their involvement in CHTV.
Bach has also participated in several peaceful demonstrations in Hanoi, including protests against China’s maritime activities in the South China Sea since 2011, tree cutting in 2015, and the Formosa environmental disaster caused by a toxic waste spill that affected Vietnam’s central coastal area in 2016.
He also spoke up against government crackdowns on political dissidents, supported people facing injustice via Facebook, and took part in campaigns demanding the release of detained activists. During this period, he reported he was constantly harassed by unknown actors and his home received strange packages containing things like shrimp paste and a yellow flag.
Family SituationHe is married and has four children.
Charged under Art. 117 (2015 Code).
- Art. 117 (2015 Code)
Bach was taken from his home on Dec. 29 and held for five days before his family was informed. His wife Lieu had no idea where he was detained or what happened to him. She said her husband was home alone at the time of his arrest, and before leaving with authorities, gave his house keys to a police officer in charge of the residential area to hand over to his family. That officer told Lieu that the police searched their home but confiscated nothing.
Bach was detained for nearly a month before the authorities announced that he had been arrested and would be charged, on January 19, 2024.
Police in Vietnam detain YouTube activist for days without informing family, RFA, Jan. 2, 2024
Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:07