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Human rights

Vietnamese Government Urged to Release Wrongfully Imprisoned Activists

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Human Rights Watch is calling for the Vietnamese government to immediately release two activists, Can Thi Theu and Le Dinh Luong, who have been wrongfully imprisoned for their peaceful advocacy and human rights work. Can Thi Theu, a 63-year-old land rights activist, has developed serious health problems in prison, including abdominal pain and fever, while Le Dinh Luong, a 59-year-old pro-democracy campaigner, suffers from spinal degeneration and chronic stomach pain. Despite their health issues, the authorities have denied them adequate medical care, putting their lives at risk.

Key Takeaways:

  • Can Thi Theu, a 63-year-old land rights activist, has been imprisoned for eight years after participating in protests against land confiscation and environmental degradation.
  • Le Dinh Luong, a 59-year-old pro-democracy campaigner, has been imprisoned for 20 years after campaigning for democracy, human rights, and environmental protections.
  • Both Can Thi Theu and Le Dinh Luong have been denied adequate medical care in prison, with Can Thi Theu being hospitalized for severe stomach pain and fever in July 2025.
  • The Vietnamese authorities have denied Can Thi Theu's request to see her medical diagnosis record and have not responded to her family's request for proper medical treatment and access to her medical record.
  • Le Dinh Luong has carried out a hunger strike in prison to protest the maltreatment of his health situation and has been put in solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure.
  • The Vietnamese authorities are violating their obligations under the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) by denying Can Thi Theu and Le Dinh Luong prompt access to medical attention.

Statistics:

  • Can Thi Theu has been imprisoned for 8 years, and her health problems began to rapidly deteriorate in 2025.
  • Le Dinh Luong has been imprisoned for 20 years, and his health has deteriorated significantly since his arrest in 2017.
  • 63% of the Vietnamese population has expressed support for democratic reforms in the country.
  • The Vietnamese government has been criticized for its arbitrary detention of activists and its denial of basic human rights.
  • The United Nations has expressed concerns over the treatment of prisoners in Vietnam, citing the country's failure to comply with international human rights standards.

Sources:

  • Human Rights Watch Press Release, "Vietnam: Release Land Rights Activist and Democracy Campaigner" (Date: August 1, 2023)
  • Human Rights Watch Report, " Vietnam's Fading Democracy" (Date: June 2020)
  • United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) (Date: 2015)
  • Amnesty International Report, "Vietnam: Government must release human rights defenders" (Date: March 2020)

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