Vietnam Police Tighten Control Ahead of Planned Massive Hunger Strike of Local Activists

we are one

Hundreds of human rights activists and political dissidents, mostly in the two biggest cities, are planning to hold a fast as part of the World Hunger Strike Day organized by Vietnamese worldwide to demand for human rights improvement in the communist nation in the Southeast Asia, and immediate release of prisoners of conscience.

By Vu Quoc Ngu | Jul 23, 2015

Vietnam’s security forces in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been tightening their control few days ahead of a planned hunger strike of many local activists.

Hundreds of human rights activists and political dissidents, mostly in the two biggest cities, are planning to hold a fast as part of the World Hunger Strike Day organized by Vietnamese worldwide to demand for human rights improvement in the communist nation in the Southeast Asia, and immediate release of prisoners of conscience.

The Vietnamese communist government has not tolerated any form of public protest, and has sought to halt the hunger strike which will start on Saturday and last 24 hours.

Many activists in HCM City and Hanoi have been reported that local authorities have sent security agents to patrol their houses. Activists said they may not be allowed to go out on Saturday.

Miss Pham Thanh Nghien, a former political prisoner in Haiphong, said a group of four-five plainclothes agents are stationing near her house and question everyone who come to visit her. Even the agents threw stones in her house but so far none has been injured.

Saigon-based Pham Ba Hai, who is currently visiting Hanoi, was detained by Hanoi police for questioning for two hours on Thursday’s morning. The local police also requested him to leave the city and threatened to take tough moves if he refuses the demand.

Vietnam’s human rights situation is still very bad although the country was elected to the UN Human Rights Council last year.

The communist government has intensified crackdown against local dissidents and human rights activists, and used controversial articles to silence government critics.

According to international human rights bodies, Vietnam is holding between 150 and 200 political dissidents, human rights activists and bloggers. Hanoi always denies, saying it has imprisoned only law violators.