The Vietnam Human Rights Network has announced that three imprisoned activists—Phan Tat Thanh, Nguyen Chi Tuyen, and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh—will receive the 2025 Vietnam Human Rights Award for their efforts to advance human rights in Vietnam. The award, established in 2002, recognizes individuals and organizations with outstanding achievements in defending the rights of the Vietnamese people.
Phan Tat Thanh, 39, was the administrator of the Facebook page Nhat Ky Yeu Nuoc (Patriotic Diary), which had over 200,000 members. He wrote about human rights violations, environmental pollution, corruption, and China's territorial encroachment. Arrested on July 13, 2023, he was charged with "propaganda against the State." During detention, he alleged physical and mental abuse. In a trial on May 8, 2024, he was sentenced to eight years in prison plus three years of probation. Thanh did not plead guilty, asserting his actions aligned with the Vietnamese Constitution and UN human rights conventions. He refused to appeal, citing distrust in the judicial system. He is held at Xuan Loc Prison in Dong Nai Province.
Nguyen Chi Tuyen, 51, co-founded the "No U" group in 2007, opposing China's territorial claims in the East Sea. He was active on Facebook and YouTube, speaking out for persecuted activists and criticizing government policies. He reported repeated assaults by undercover police. Arrested on February 29, 2024, he was sentenced on August 15, 2024, to five years for "propaganda against the State." Tuyen stated, "I can absolutely choose my own safety if I ignore the country's problems. But as a citizen, I cannot help but be responsible for my country." He is held at Prison No. 6 in Nghe An Province.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, 49, a former math teacher, founded the Constitution Group in 2018 to promote citizens' rights under the Vietnamese Constitution, including freedom of expression and assembly. The group used social media to discuss constitutional violations and participated in protests in June 2018. Hanh was kidnapped by police on September 3, 2018, held in solitary confinement, and tortured. In July 2020, she and seven others were sentenced to a total of 40.5 years for "Disruption of security," with Hanh receiving eight years. She is held at An Phuoc prison in Ho Chi Minh City.
The award ceremony will be held on December 7, 2025, in Montreal, Canada, in cooperation with the Vietnamese Community of Montreal. The Vietnam Human Rights Network aims to defend and promote human rights as set forth by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since its inception, 63 individuals and six organizations have received the award. For more information, visit https://www.vietnamhumanrights.net.
